Cuisinera Articles
Weight Loss: Not Flavor’s Calvary
This Lent, the best thing you might be letting go is all that excess weight.
As the season of contemplation approaches, those who are still feeling guilty about their Christmas calorie overloads are likely bent on doing penance by depriving themselves of their favorite dishes this summer. But the Doña Elena Cuisinera Club – a group of individuals who appreciate good food and put a premium on their health – is definitely not going the bland way to cut down on the calories and the weight.
“Lent might be about giving up particular foods, but one thing’s for sure: it’s not about giving up taste,” says Professor Luchie Callanta, a University of the Philippines College of Home Economics faculty member and the club’s nutritionist. “In fact, this season might just be the perfect reason to catapult yourself to a lifetime of healthy eating, without punishing your tastebuds.”
To jumpstart everyone on their delicious diets, the club’s resident chef Golda Laurel-Liamzon prepared delicious, lent-friendly dishes such as vegetarian crepe with tomato-basil sauce, fish fillet and mushrooms in oriental sauce and hot crab and cheese sandwich with potato salad siding. And to make every dish even healthier, the kitchen master used the heart-healthy, antioxidant-rich Doña Elena olive oil.
As an oil rich in monounsaturated fat, olive oil is truly set apart from the rest of other oils with its proven anti-inflammatory and anti-hypertensive properties. It has been shown to lower bad cholesterol levels as well as reducing the risk of coronary heart disease, coupled with a healthy and active lifestyle. Aside from this, olive oil is also abundant with polyphenols, a potent antioxidant that scavenges harmful free radicals in the body.
With olive oil’s versatility, everyone can enjoy the healthy benefits Doña Elena gives come mealtime. For salads and bread dips, one can use the extra-virgin variant to give these dishes a fruity taste and aroma. Pure Olive oil, on the other hand, is ideal for everyday cooking that involves sauteeing, basting, frying and pasta preparation.
This makes the healthy lifestyle truly easier to achieve, everyday.
“Through a healthy, active lifestyle coupled with delicious low-carb, low-calorie foods rich in olive oil, your Lenten fast might just end up to be your biggest indulgence,” ends Professor Callanta.
Aphrodisiac Dishes To Spice Up Romance
Love is in the air – and it smells deliciously good.
At the recent cooking class of Doña Elena Cuisinera Club, a community of individuals who appreciate good food and put a premium on their health, the atmosphere was teeming with the aroma of appetizing romance as attendees learned how to prepare sumptuous meals for their sweethearts and lovers.
In preparation for the love month, the class held at Living Well in The Podium discovered the magic of food in sparking one’s relationships. Highlighting the connection between food and romance, guests learned on how to prepare aphrodisiac dishes that guaranteed to fire up passions.
“For being both indulgent and satisfying, food and love have always been desired and craved by people throughout history,” notes Professor Luchie Callanta, a faculty member of the University of the Philippines College of Home Economics and the club’s nutritionist. “But when it comes to food, there is often a sinful pleasure associated with enjoying it too much – which shouldn’t be the case, if people will only choose healthier yet equally delicious meals.”
To make the dishes guiltlessly delightful, the club’s resident chef Golda Laurel-Liamzon served Pan-Fried Oysters and Arugula Salad with Creamy Dressing, Almond Crusted Tilapia Fillets, and Chunky Chocolate Cookies - using the heart-healthy, antioxidant-rich Doña Elena olive oil.
“Unlike when you use cooking oils rich in saturated fats, these meals which were cooked using olive oil helps reduce cholesterol levels in the blood, possibly preventing the risk of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease,” notes the professor. “And apart from this, those who use olive oil will also benefit from it anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.”
As an oil rich in monounsaturated fat, olive oil has been shown to lower bad cholesterol levels as well as reducing the risk of coronary heart disease, coupled with a healthy and active lifestyle. Aside from this, olive oil is also abundant with polyphenols, a potent antioxidant that scavenges harmful free radicals in the body.
“With an active lifestyle and a healthy diet rich in good fats such as olive oil, a long, passionate, and sensual life awaits lovers everywhere,” ends Professor Callanta.
Here’s something your taste buds and your heart will surely be thankful for this Holidays.
With this recent present from popular healthy culinary brand Doña Elena, gastronomes such as yourself can savor a heart-friendly Noche Buena through this perfect way to satisfy your seasonal cravings without compromising your health.
“For Filipinos, Christmas is a time of indulgence with unhealthy, cholesterol-heavy foods,” observes by Mr. Mike Villanueva the Senior Marketing Manager of Fly Ace Corp.. “Because of this, we want to make the Yuletide season healthy with heart-friendly, antioxidant-rich ingredients that are just as delicious.”
As a special offering this time of the year, Doña Elena is supplying an exclusive Holiday Gift Box Collection for their patrons. This limited edition pack contains a one-liter bottle of Doña Elena’s Pure or Extra Virgin Olive Oil, a 330-gram bottle of their sliced black olives, plus one of the three variants of Tefal spatulas from France.
Aside from these tools which will surely make your midnight feast a success, the attractive gift box also features recipe suggestions to help you prepare your meals come Christmas Eve. And Doña Elena is slashing off 34 percent off the standard retail price - making the pack available to consumers everywhere for only 500 pesos.
“We know that the best gift anyone can give themselves for Christmas is the gift of health,” Mr. Mike Villanueva the Senior Marketing Manager of Fly Ace Corp. muses “That’s why we want to let everybody have one of the best presents they can have, by bringing this affordable Doña Elena set at supermarkets nationwide.”
With olive oil’s versatility and anti-cancer and anti-cholesterol properties, everyone can enjoy the healthy benefits Doña Elena gives come mealtime. For salads and bread dips, one can use the extra-virgin variant to give these dishes a fruity taste and aroma. Pure Olive oil, on the other hand, is ideal for everyday cooking that involves sauteeing, basting, frying and pasta preparation. This makes the healthy lifestyle truly easier to achieve, not just for the holidays – but everyday as well.
Now everyone can truly eat to their heart’s content this Christmas, with Doña Elena’s healthy gift to Filipinos.
For further info, you can call our Doña Elena Cuisinera Club Secretariat at 713-8144.
Dona Elena Cuisinera Club Celebrity Cook-Off Challenge
What made the contest a real challenge is that the contestants were not allowed to use cookbooks during the competition. Just like the Iron Chef Competition, the two teams had to come up with a new recipe from scratch, using only the ingredients provided by Dona Elena. The two teams also had to fight it out in getting the ingredients they needed from one common table of ingredients set-up for both teams. To make it easier for the contestants to conceptualize and create their dishes, each team was aided by two chef consultants. The chef consultants were not allowed to help prepare the ingredients or cook the dish; rather, their job was to instruct the team members on how to best prepare the dish in the fastest possible time. Before the competition began, the team members met with their chef consultants to discuss what they will be cooking. It was by sheer coincidence that both teams decided to make cream dory fillets the center of their entrees, which made the competition more interesting!
The event kicked off with a short lecture on olive oil from Dona Elena’s official nutritionist, Prof. Luchie Callanta. The club’s resident chef, Golda Liamzon also discussed the veriety of ways olive oil can be used on everyday dishes. Most of us probably think that olive oil can only be used to prepare salads and pasta dishes, but you can actually use it the same way you would use a regular cooking oil. Best difference is, olive oil has antioxidants and nutrients like omega 9, vitamins K, E and A which can never be found in regular cooking oil. It is also high in monounsaturated fat which lowers bad cholesterol. Pure olive oil in fact, can be used to sauté regular dishes or deep-fry meat because the refining process enables it to withstand heat without sacrificing the flavor and nutrients, it actually adds better flavor to the food. Extra virgin olive oil, on the other hand, goes through a cold-pressed refining process that does not use heat. This type of olive oil has its nutrients and flavor intact, making it ideal for salads, pasta, or a bread dip together with balsamic vinegar.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a celebrity cook-off without the celebrities. Before the competition began, the two celebrity guests were introduced to the Cuisinera Club. Gladys Reyes from the 90s soap “Mara Clara” was part of team Hijos y Hijas, whereas Bernadette Allyson from 90s teen show “Growing Up” joined team Don y Donas. Both celebrities are proud hands-on cooks who make sure that their kids eat healthy, tasty meals every day.
Armed with the collective knowledge of the team and the guidance of the chef consultants, the cook-off finally began. Team Hijos y Hijas was busy working on a noodle dish with ratatouille sauce topped with a deep fried dory fillet. The Don y Donas also prepared dory fillet, but served it with Oriental chicken crispy noodles and seafood lumpia. Both teams had sumptuous dishes to present to the judges, but team Don y Donas won by a small margin because of the variety of foods in their dish. The recipes of both teams can be found in the Dona Elena Cuisinera Club website.
Fuss Free Recipes
How is everyone? Are you eager to learn more recipes? Well, if you missed our last cooking demo, here is your chance to test the recipes.
Some of you are probably like me with a hectic schedule and busy weekends, leaving me with barely enough time to cook for my family after work, much less make elaborate gourmet dishes that will take hours to prepare. It’s even more impractical to keep eating out. Even if I buy takeout food from fast food places, I end up spending way more than if I manage to find time to prepare meals at home. Not to mention that fast food is rich in saturated fats, salt, refined sugar, and artificial additives, which will eventually cause health problems if they’re always served at the dinner table.
Throughout the years, I learned that cooking for me and my family does not have to be complicated. It is still a good idea to prepare complicated dishes during special occasions or parties but not for everyday meals. The trick is to use simple, fuss-free recipes that take only minutes to prepare. How fuss-free are we talking about? Basically, the recipes I use are simple variations of basic dishes – pasta, sandwiches, and salads. By changing up the ingredients a little, I can come up with simple yet flavorful meals that are always a hit with my family and or when there are unexpected guests.
Reading up on nutrition made me realize that saving money is not the only advantage of cooking my own meals. Control over the ingredients I use is another important benefit. With the freedom to choose what ingredients I put in the food I make, I am confident that my family eats meals that nourish the body instead of food that damages it further. I started by replacing regular cooking oil with extra virgin olive oil. Olive oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, the building blocks of the brain, and a healthy substance that prevents heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fats, which mean that the human body cannot synthesize them like other fats. We can only obtain omega-3 fatty acids from omega-3-rich foods like olive oil, which is easy to incorporate in most dishes. On the other hand, studies show that the average restaurant uses corn oil or vegetable oil to prepare their food. Although they seem healthy at first glance, these oils have too much omega-6 fatty acids, which prevent our bodies from utilizing what little omega-3 fatty acids we get from our foods.
I’d like to share with you some of these easy to cook recipes I use so that you too can eat healthy meals without spending hours in the kitchen. Hopefully, you’ll learn to make olive oil a staple in your kitchen and an indispensible part of a healthier lifestyle.
If you have questions, ask them here and I will get back to you. Enjoy cooking and the smiles that will surely come your way once you serve your family these dishes.
A Healthy Prep for Your Beach Body
Crash diets, weight-loss pills, cosmetic surgery—health experts say that you can skip all that and still look good in your summer outfits.
The secret?
Go back to basics: eat healthy foods and take in fewer calories than you burn.
“It's easier to make better food choices in summertime, when heavy, high-calorie dishes seem less appealing.,” says Prof. Luchie Callanta, Senior Lecturer of the University of the Philippines College of Home Economics. “The best food for weight loss in summer should be light, fibrous and refreshing.”
Also the resident nutritionist of the Doña Elena Cuisinera Club, a group of concerned mothers, health practitioners and food enthusiasts who are pushing for a healthy eating lifestyle for Filipinos, Prof. Callanta further explains that the single easiest way to trim calories is to load up on nature’s bounty. This means people should consume fruits and vegetables that are low in calories but full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber.
But for people who cannot give up on their meat, Prof. Callanta suggests that they should just limit the meat intake and make sure that it’s been cooked healthy using olive oil instead of the ordinary cooking oil. Replacing the other low quality oils with olive oil is believed by health experts to be the first step towards healthy eating.
Only, the dilemma of most Filipino buyers lies on the high prices of olive oils, unlike the more affordable lesser quality oils. Luckily, consumers may find brands such as Doña Elena olive oil that can provide the same throng of health benefits—not to mention a rich and flavorful taste—without going over the budget.
Doña Elena olive oils makes health benefits like protection against coronary heart disease, cancer and diabetes more accessible to the average Filipino’s table.
Olive oil increases HDL (good cholesterol) that helps clear clogged arteries and is rich in monounsaturated fat and antioxidants like chlorophyll, carotenoids, vitamin E., flavonoids, squalene and polyphenols which may help to protect against cancer. In fact, olive oil tops the list of healthy oils recommended by the American Heart Association for food preparation.
“So if you want to get that beautiful beach body, remember to exercise regularly and have a proper diet. After all, beauty isn’t skin deep—it starts from within,” ends Prof. Callanta.
Savoring the Flavors of the Sea
Can’t let go of your cholesterol-laden meat?
Health experts say it’s about time you try.
That is because research shows that eating fish and seafood meals at least thrice week can help lower the risks of heart disease as these foods are high in polyunsaturated fats such as omega-3 fatty acids. Too much cholesterol, also, has long been linked to increasing risks of developing heart disease, but it has been less clear how the various dietary fats -- saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated -- make people susceptible to the disease.
“Aside from fish and seafood being good for the heart, it is known for being a great way to fill your recommended daily allowance of protein and nutrients in a low-fat manner,” says Prof. Luchie Callanta, resident nutritionist of the Doña Elena Cuisinera Club, a group of concerned mothers, health practitioners and food enthusiasts who are pushing for a healthy eating lifestyle for Filipinos.
She adds that fish has high protein content without the high saturated fat that meat products do. With all the concern today about eating less saturated fat, healthy seafood is the way to go. Health experts suggest a healthy diet by getting protein from low-fat, high-nutrient fish, seafood, and grains. And to make it a lot healthier, an integration of heart-friendly olive oil when cooking these meals is also advised.
The heart of the matter is that olive oil increases HDL (good cholesterol) that helps clear clogged arteries, it is first on the list of healthy oils and fats recommended by the American Heart Association. But unlike seafood that is rich in polyunsaturated fat, olive oil banks on monounsaturated fat and antioxidants like chlorophyll, carotenoids, vitamin E., flavonoids, squalene and polyphenols which may help to protect against cancer. These antioxidants help prevent cell damage caused by free radicals.
“Although some may think olive oils cost a bit more than lesser quality oils, its cardiovascular benefits, not to mention the richer flavor it provides, make it an extremely good investment to your health,” explains Prof. Callanta.
But even if they want to use olive oil, the dilemma of most Filipino buyers lies on the high prices of olive oils, unlike the more affordable lesser quality oils. Luckily, consumers may find brands such as Doña Elena olive oil that can provide the same throng of health benefits—not to mention a rich and flavorful taste—without going over the budget. Doña Elena olive oils makes health benefits like protection against coronary heart disease, cancer and diabetes more accessible to the average Filipino’s table.
“"People have these notions that if they get a heart attack or stroke, there are medicines and surgeries. What they don’t usually know is that prevention, through eating healthy, is always the better alternative,” ends Prof. Callanta.
In Luck with Health
While the Chinese buy loads of firecrackers to drive away evil spirits and Bolivians make wood or straw dolls, Filipinos prefer to start the New Year with luck on their table.
“Noodles for long life, round fruits for luck, cakes and other desserts for a sweet year and the favorite Lechon for progress—each represent people’s high hopes for a better year,” says Prof. Luchie Callanta, resident nutritionist of the Doña Elena Cuisinera Club, a group of concerned mothers, health practitioners and food enthusiasts who are pushing for a healthy eating lifestyle for Filipinos. “Pinoys painstakingly go through the cooking process, making sure that each bite is as sumptuous as how they hoped the coming year would become.
But Prof. Callanta, also a UP professor, warns that eating too much of these lucky foods may actually turn into bad luck—for their health, that is. “Most people end up overeating because they want to take in as much luck from these foods as they can, not knowing it can actually pose a threat to their health.” She cites that recent studies from the National Institute of Child Health and Development in the U.S. show that even just one pound extra weight accumulated through the holidays may in the long run, be a cause for obesity heart disease, diabetes, and other serious health problems. Not very lucky, is it?
“If we truly want to have a prosperous and happy new year, we must first start with our health. We should make sure that the food we eat were prepared not only with luck in mind, but more importantly, with health,” explains Prof. Callanta.
A sure way to make dishes not only lucky but healthy as well is by replacing regular cooking oil with olive oil. But the dilemma of most Filipino buyers lies on the high prices of olive oils, unlike the more affordable lesser quality oils. Luckily, consumers may find brands such as Doña Elena olive oil that can provide the same throng of health benefits—not to mention a rich and flavorful taste—without going over the budget. This 2009, moms can try putting a healthier twist to traditional lucky dishes by using Doña Elena olive oil in their preparation. For example, the traditional pancit canton, a dish that signifies long life, can give you luck and at the same time protect you against coronary heart diseases when sautéed in olive oil. The Pata Tim cooked in extra virgin olive oil, on the other hand, can reduce the risk of cancer while promising you a New Year filled with prosperity.
“Olive oils contain unsaturated fats that are less likely oxidized as compared to more common cooking oils,” says Prof. Callanta. “Oxidized cholesterol from the more common cooking oils sticks to the artery walls and form the plaques that lead to heart attacks and strokes.”
Because of this, olive oil tops the list of healthy oils and fats recommended by the American Heart Association. Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fat and antioxidants like chlorophyll, carotenoids, vitamin E., flavonoids, squalene and polyphenols which may help to protect against cancer. These antioxidants help prevent cell damage caused by free radicals.
“So if you start the year right with exercise and a proper diet, you won’t really have to cross your fingers for a prosperous and happy 12 months ahead,” ends Prof. Callanta.
Hearty Look at Nature’s Aphrodisiac
Love is not love without “e”—Vitamin E, that is.
More than clear, glowing skin, vitamin E is found by scientists to not only give you younger looking skin but directly affect your sexual activity and the fertility. True enough, Vitamin E, also dubbed as the "love vitamin", is being recommended by physicians to treat the reproductive organs' malfunctions of males worldwide.
In fact, scientists and even ancient civilizations attest that Vitamin E is one of the most important vitamins one should consume everyday, most especially during Cupid’s holiday. “Nuts and avocado are high in vitamin E. But one of the greatest sources of vitamin E has to be olive oil,” says Prof. Luchie Callanta, resident nutritionist of the Doña Elena Cuisinera Club, a group of concerned mothers, health practitioners and food enthusiasts who are pushing for a healthy eating lifestyle for Filipinos.
Prof. Luchie, also a UP lecturer, further explains that this love vitamin has a two-fold effect. First, Vitamin E aids in the production of sex hormones, which in turn catalyzes a person’s attraction, desire, and mood. Second, it delays the onset of symptoms of aging, which of course indirectly boosts the longevity of anyone's sexual lifestyle. But if you prefer to have your serving of Vitamin E outside the bedroom, Prof. Callanta suggests that you head to your kitchen and work on a Valentine feast using olive oil.
“Olive oil contains high amounts of Vitamin E that’s why it is recommended that you intake approximately 15 mg of it daily,” says Prof. Callanta. “So if you especially want to add a loving and healthy twist to your dishes this Valentine’s Day, begin by replacing regular cooking oil with olive oil.”
Aside from Vitamin E boosting the warm, fuzzy feelings of love, antioxidants that are also found in olive oil reduces the risk of coronary heart diseases and certain cancers. And compared to common cooking oils, olive oil contains unsaturated fats that are less likely oxidized and won’t form plaques that can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
But even if they want to have some love this February 14, the dilemma of most Filipino buyers lies on the high prices of olive oils, unlike the more affordable lesser quality oils. Luckily, consumers may find brands such as Doña Elena olive oil that can provide the same throng of health benefits—not to mention a rich and flavorful taste—without going over the budget. Doña Elena olive oils makes health benefits like protection against coronary heart disease, cancer and diabetes more accessible to the average Filipino’s table.
“Commonly, people wanting to have a balanced sex life include these special types of foods such as a Vitamin E rich olive oil in their diet. While this is true, most health experts still agree that exercising often and maintaining a balanced diet are the secrets to reduce stress and enjoy a better and healthier sexual lifestyle,” ends Prof. Callanta.
Moms Answer What’s in the Box
While some people vividly remember the color of their lunch box in preschool, others are lucky enough to remember what their moms prepared inside.
“Preparing their children’s baon is every mother’s joy,” says Prof. Luchie Callanta, a faculty of the University of the Philippines College of Home Economics. “Mothers are the primary persons who ensure that their children’s meals are truly healthy and nutritious.”
As the resident nutritionist of the Doña Elena Cuisinera Club, a group of health practitioners and food enthusiasts established by Dona Elena Olive Oil brand, Prof. Callanta asserts that merely telling children to stop eating unhealthy foods won’t work. “Children see on TV and even on other kids that junk foods are more satisfying. But you can address this by preparing meals that they can take to school that is teeming with nutritional value,” she explains.
That why in the recent Doña Elena Cuisinera Club culinary session, moms and also their kids were treated to a sumptuous afternoon of nutritious and healthy delights—perfect for every kid’s lunchbox. Led by renowned chef and mother of two, Golda Liamzon, guests were introduced to simple and healthy meals that kids can bring as baon in the coming school opening. For example, regular cheese and ham sticks, beef and mushroom stew and pizza were given a healthier twist by cooking it with olive oil.
“A beef and mushroom stew is loaded with calories and fats but if you use olive oil such as Dona Elena, it will become at least 63% healthier and more flavorful,” says Prof. Callanta.
This is because Dona Elena Olive oil increases HDL (good cholesterol) that helps clear clogged arteries and is rich in monounsaturated fat and antioxidants like chlorophyll, carotenoids, vitamin E., flavonoids, squalene and polyphenols which helps protect against cancer. In fact, olive oil tops the list of healthy oils recommended by the American Heart Association for food preparation.
“Most Filipinos, however, are intimidated by the perceived high prices of olive oils,” says Prof. Callanta. “Luckily, consumers now have good brands such as Doña Elena Olive oils that provide the best health benefits—and a rich and flavorful taste—without going over the budget.”
With just a few pesos added to a normal budget for a vegetable oil, Dona Elena Olive Oils ensure that you get the full flavor of a dish while protecting you from coronary heart diseases, cancer and diabetes associated with fatty foods and usage of ordinary cooking oils.
Dona Elena recommends Extra Virgin Olive oil for salads, bread dips and to drizzle cooked food for that extra flavor. Cold-pressed and high-grade virgin oil, extra virgin is fruity and has an impeccable taste and aroma. Pure Olive oil, on the other hand, is best suited for everyday cooking: sautéed dishes, basting, frying, pasta preparation because it is cholesterol-free, does not have additives and made from pressed, refined and blended finest olive oil.
“By preparing sumptuous and healthy packed lunch for young kids, moms are the true catalysts in achieving good nutrition not only for kids but also for the Filipino family,” ends Prof. Callanta.
