Early Watermelons: The Terrible Secret Of The Striped Berry
Early watermelons can contain a large amount of nitrates that are dangerous for health. These substances decompose in the gastrointestinal tract, causing nausea, vomiting and profuse diarrhea. In addition, nitrates can lead to serious metabolic disorders and oxygen starvation.
Watermelons and melons are favorite summer treats that are enjoyed by both children and adults. What could be better than a ripe, cool watermelon on a hot day!
This large striped berry can be seen already in June. Some cannot resist the temptation and happily buy a watermelon. However, doctors strongly recommend waiting with this. What is the danger of early watermelons?
A source of vitamins and ... nitrates
Many people have heard about the benefits of watermelon. It really contains many vitamins, trace elements and other biologically active substances. Unfortunately, early watermelons are also high in nitrates.
Nitrates are salts of nitric acid that are added to mineral fertilizers. Plants actively use nitrates for growth. Early varieties of melon crops contain a fairly high concentration of nitrates (it can exceed the norm by ten times!), which poses a threat to human health.
What happens to nitrates in the body?
So, you still enjoyed an early watermelon, which may well be a real "nitrate bomb". Nitrates cannot be determined by taste, but the negative consequences can be felt. So, what happens to the body if it gets a high dose of nitrates?
Nitrates contained in watermelon enter the stomach and then the intestines. Under the influence of intestinal microflora, nitrates are decomposed, and nitrites are formed from them - dangerous compounds that have an irritating effect on the intestinal mucosa. Irritation can be so significant that a person experiences nausea, vomiting and profuse diarrhea.
But these are far from all the troubles that nitrites bring us. These substances are able to oxidize hemoglobin iron. In this state, hemoglobin does not carry oxygen, oxygen starvation develops.
Nitrites disrupt the process of normal absorption of vitamins and trace elements in the intestines, and also contribute to the accumulation of heavy metals in the kidneys and liver.
As you can understand, nitrate poisoning is a big deal. Therefore, try not to take early watermelons. Better wait until the end of July, beginning of August when the season starts.
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How To Cook Steamed Rice (plus Rice Salad Recipes)
Looking at the shelves with cereals in the store, eyes widen? If you plan to cook porridge, make a side dish or salad, choose steamed rice. It is convenient to work with such rice, it does not stick together and does not turn into starch. But all this, of course, subject to proper preparation. We will reveal a few secrets of perfect cooking.
First, rinse the rice thoroughly. Do this in a deep cup or bowl. Carefully drain the water, fill it with new water and so on 3-4 times until the water becomes completely transparent.
Cover the rice with cold water and soak for half an hour.
It is equally important to properly cook cereals.
On the stove
Place the rice in a heavy bottomed saucepan. Pour in water at the rate of 1 to 2 and bring to a boil over medium heat. Add salt, cover and simmer for 7-9 minutes over low heat. Then remove from heat and leave for another 10 minutes so that the rice comes to full readiness.
In a slow cooker
Kitchen assistants will come in handy here. Send the washed cereals to the bowl of the multicooker. Add 1.5 parts water to 1 part rice. Add a pinch of salt. Install the program "Rice", "Pilaf" or "Porridge" depending on the model of your equipment. After the end of the program, you can add butter, mix and serve immediately.
in the microwave
Another, alternative to the usual, option of cooking rice. Get a microwave-safe container with a lid. Pour the cereal and salt to taste, pour in the water (for 1 cup of rice 2 cups of water). Cover the container with a lid, set the maximum power and time - 5 minutes. Then check the amount of water, add a little if necessary, and cook for another 5-7 minutes until tender.
Perfectly cooked fluffy rice will be an excellent ingredient for daily and holiday salads. Choose from our selection the one you want to repeat!
Layered salad with rice and canned fish
This is an inexpensive, hearty and fairly simple salad that is sure to decorate your table.
We will need:
Canned fish - 1 jar; Boiled rice - 1 cup; Eggs - 4 pcs.; Processed cheese - 2 pcs.; Mayonnaise, salt and pepper - to taste.
First, hard boil the eggs. Cool and clean. Canned food (you can use sardine, saury, tuna, pink salmon) mash with a fork and put in an even layer on a serving plate. Spread rice on top. Lubricate with a little mayonnaise. Grate the eggs and arrange on the rice. Add mayonnaise, salt and some pepper if desired. Lay the last layer of grated processed cheese, smeared with mayonnaise.
Salad with seafood, crab sticks and rice
An interesting variation of the familiar and beloved by many "Crab". An original idea for a festive table.
Ingredients:
Rice - 100 g; Crab sticks - 200 g; Seafood (mussels, shrimp, squid) - 300 g; Egg - 3 pcs.; Canned corn - 200 g; Hard cheese - 50 g; Soy sauce - 1-2 tbsp. l.; Mayonnaise, salt, herbs - to taste; Red caviar for serving - 2 tbsp. l. (optional).
First, boil the rice and hard-boiled eggs until tender. Cool down.
Send seafood to the pan, pour in soy sauce and heat for a couple of minutes, stirring constantly. Cut crab sticks, eggs into small cubes, chop greens, grate cheese, dry corn.
When everything is ready, you can collect the salad. It will look prettier in layers. Put rice on the bottom and spread with mayonnaise. Above is seafood. Then corn, crab sticks, some mayonnaise. Greens, eggs, mayonnaise, grated cheese. Before serving, decorate the salad with red caviar.
Salad with beef, rice and pomegranate
This hearty salad will be the highlight of your menu. An interesting flavor combination will not leave anyone indifferent.
Required Ingredients:
Boiled rice - 100 g; Beef - 400 g; Pomegranate - 1 pc.; Dried tomatoes - 4-6 pcs.; Mayonnaise, salt, herbs - to taste.
To begin with, boil the beef until cooked and cool. Cut the meat into small cubes. Combine rice with beef in a deep salad bowl, add chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Peel the pomegranate and put the seeds in the salad. Season with mayonnaise to taste, add salt and chopped herbs. Stir and serve the salad to the table.
Salad with sausage, sweet pepper and rice
This salad can be prepared in a hurry with what was found in the refrigerator.
We will need:
Boiled rice - 70 g; Boiled sausage - 200 g; Sweet pepper - 1 pc.; Walnuts - 50 g; Olive oil - 4 tbsp. l.; Soy sauce - 2 tbsp. l.; Salt, pepper, herbs - to taste.
Place cooled rice in a deep bowl. Cut the boiled sausage and peeled sweet pepper into small cubes. Chop some nuts. Combine all ingredients and stir. Add salt, pepper to taste. To prepare the dressing, combine olive oil with soy sauce and chopped herbs. Pour dressing over salad, toss and enjoy.
With meat or fish, with vegetables or as a salad ingredient - steamed rice works great in a variety of ways. Try and find recipes that you like.
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