Healing Foods

1. In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, mustard, and garlic. Whisk in olive oil, shallots, and 2 tablespoons parsley. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Place beets in half of a stainless steel steamer or on the lower level of a bamboo steamer. Place green beans in the other half of the stainless steamer, or on the top level of the bamboo steamer. Steam over boiling water for 5 minutes.
3. Remove beans, leaving beets in steamer. Plunge beans into a bowl of cold water; drain and pat dry.
4. Cook beets for 5 minutes longer, or until tender; remove, plunge into a bowl of cold water, drain, and pat dry.
5. In a large bowl, toss spinach and basil. Drizzle with just enough dressing to lightly coat leaves; toss, and arrange on a serving platter.
6. In separate bowls, toss beans and beets with just enough dressing to lightly coat, and arrange over salad. Sprinkle with remaining parsley. Arrange eggs around outside edge of platter.
7. Arrange anchovies (if using) over salad. Scatter olives and nuts atop salad. Serve immediately, with additional dressing on the side.

1. Mash beans in a medium bowl, using a potato masher, until most of the beans are mashed, but some remain visible. Mash in onion, mushroom, and egg, mixing well. Mash in garlic, rosemary, and cayenne. Add salt and more cayenne, as needed.
2. Add 1/2 cup bread crumbs and stir to mix well. Mixture should be sticky, but hold its shape. Add additional 1/4 cup bread crumbs, if needed.
3. With damp hands, form bean mixture into 4 patties. Transfer each burger to a plate, and brush tops lightly with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
4. Preheat broiler to high. Lightly brush a baking sheet with remaining olive oil, and arrange burgers on sheet. Broil for 7 to 8 minutes, turn patties over, and broil for 7 minutes on the other side. While burgers are cooking, split buns in half. Place bottom halves on a serving platter and top with avocado. Tear lettuce and arrange on bottom halves.
5. Remove burgers from oven, place on buns, and serve immediately.

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Puree vinaigrette ingredients in a blender until smooth.

2. Lightly score the inside of the eggplants, drizzle with olive oil, and lay skin-side down on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with more olive oil and roast for 20 to 25 minutes.

3. Place eggplant halves face-up on four serving plates, season with salt and pepper, and divide feta cheese, roasted peppers, and arugula among the four halves. Drizzle with vinaigrette (you may have some left over). Serve open-faced.

Directions:

1. Heat oil in a medium pan over medium heat. Add garlic, ginger, and red peper flakes, and stir for 1 minute. Add shrimp and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until shrimp begin to curl. Add sake and soy sauce. Cool for another 2 to 3 minuntes. Add butter, and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Season to taste. Stir in parsley and turn off burner.

2. Place one skewer in each shrimp and serve warm with crusty bread.