Revithokeftedes me Garides and Asparagus to fight cancer

Revithokeftedes me Garides are Chickpea Patties with Shrimps.  During Greek Orthodox fasting period seafood is allowed to be eaten, so I decided to incorporate some shrimps in the patties.

We ate them as a main dish accompanied by wild asparagus.

Yesterday,  when I visited Susan I saw that Chris, of Mele Cotte is hosting her third event to bring awareness about cancer.  Chris was diagnosed with cancer in 2001 and this is her third year of hosting this event.   I participated last year as well, as like most families, we also had members of our family which did not survive this disease.   If you would also like to contribute, the deadline is the end of April.

I Google searched to see what food to use and make a recipe for the event.  I found a site listing the Top 12 anti-cancer food.

On the top of their list is Seafood, followed by Tomatoes, Blueberries, Red Cabbage, Red Beets, Spinach, Garlic  (onions and shallots), Whole wheat, Oranges, Strawberries and Beans.

Looking at the above ingredients I realized that my daily cooking incorporates all of these ingredients and I have many dishes I have already cooked and not posted using more than one of the above ingredients, except for blueberries, which I cannot find in Greece.

One of these recipes is Revithokeftedes me garides, which are chickpea patties with shrimps and the side dishes I served them with.    When preparing the patties, I served them with boiled asparagus and a tahini sauce and at the time I had no idea that the entire meal was full of anti-cancer ingredients.

I used large frozen shrimps and boiled the whole packet.  I used half in the patties and although I was planning to make something else with the remaining I was short of time as my husband was painting the kitchen and did not have much time for the other recipe so I decided to fry them.  The painting lasted for three days and I had the kitchen to myself for a couple of hours early in the morning and one hour before lunch.

Revithokeftedes me Garides, asparagus and tahini dressing to fight cancer

Shrimps are a rich source of calcium, protein and antioxidants like selenium.

Asparagus is the highest tested food containing glutathione, which is considered one of the body's most potent anticarcinogens and antioxidants.

Tahini is made of sesame seeds, which is also rich in antioxidants. I made the Tahini Sauce a little different that the usual one I make, adding more lemon juice and water and less tahini to make it as a dressing rather than a sauce.  I also added mustard seeds.

Chickpeas are dried legumes and a member of the beans family mentioned in the top 10 anti-cancer food.

Olive oil for sure is the best oil to be used.

Revithokeftedes me Garides – Recipe by Ivy (adapted from a recipe by Elias Mamalakis)

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 20 minutes

Serves: 3

Ingredients:

• 250 grams chickpeas
• 1 medium onion, minced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 spring onions, the white part, finely chopped
• ½ cup parsley, finely chopped
• ⅓ cup fresh fennel, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh mint, finely chopped
• 150 grams shrimps boiled for 5 minutes and cut into small pieces
• 1 tsp salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp cumin
• ½ tsp hot paprika
• 1 cup finely ground bulgur wheat
• 1 cup flour for dredging
• ½ cup olive oil for frying

Directions

1. Soak the chickpeas overnight.
2. In a food processor add chickpeas, about a cup each time with a few tablespoons of water and process to a thick paste.
3. Remove to a bowl and finally add onion, garlic and olive oil in the food processor and process.
4. Add the bulgur wheat, spring onions, fennel, mint, shrimps and spices and mix.
5. Cover with cling film and leave it in the refrigerator for at least two hours.
6. Form into patties.
7. Heat the olive oil in a non-stick frying pan.
8. Dredge the patties into the flour and fry on both sides until golden brown.
9. Remove on kitchen paper before serving.

Fried Shrimps 

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 10 Minutes

Ingredients:

• 200 grams shrimps
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp garlic powder
•  A pinch of white pepper
• ½ cup flour for dredging
• ½ cup olive oil for frying

Directions

1. Boil shrimps for five minutes and drain.
2. Combine flour, salt, pepper and garlic powder together.
3. Dredge the shrimps in the flour.
4. In a non stick frying pan heat the olive oil and fry shrimps on both sides for a few minutes.

Boiled Asparagus 

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch wild asparagus (about 50)

1. Wash the asparagus.
2. Cut ⅓ of the stems which do not discard.  With a vegetable peeler, peel the outer part.
3. Boil for five minutes and remove in a vessel with ice cold water.
4. Drain and remove to a platter.
5. Serve with a tahini dressing sauce.

Tahini Dressing Sauce 

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp tahini
• ⅓ cup lemon juice
• ½ cup water
• 1 - 2 cloves garlic
• ½ tsp mustard seeds
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1. In a food processor add all the ingredients and process.

For all of you who are celebrating Easter tomorrow I wish you a Happy Easter and to be in good health.  We still have another week to celebrate Greek Orthodox Easter.

Kopiaste and Kali Orexi!