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Wellness chef Geremy Capone and dietitian Christy Brissette dish on their favourite
summer-fresh foods.
(Photo: UHN)

'Tis the season for local produce and garden-fresh fruits and vegetables. We caught up with UHN's favourite food duo, wellness chef Geremy Capone and dietitian Christy Brissette at ELLICSR Kitchen, to learn how they're transforming their favourite summer produce into healthy, savoury meals. ELLICSR is UHN's Health, Wellness and Cancer Survivorship Centre.

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ELLICSR Kitchen prepares an asparagus and quinoa salad with
charred lemon dressing. (Photo: Geremy Capone)

Asparagus is tasty all year round, but sprouts in the spring and stays in season until the end of summer. Six spears of asparagus provide 55 percent of your daily Vitamin K intake – this allows your blood to clot normally and provides possible protection against liver and prostate cancer.

Favourite ways to prepare asparagus
Geremy: Barbecue-grilled.
Christy: Slice it raw and add a crunch to your salad.

Learn how to make Geremy and Christy's asparagus and quinoa salad with charred lemon dressing.

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ELLICSR Kitchen prepares summer orecchiette with chard and fennel. (Photo: Geremy Capone)

Fennel has a "perfect crunch composition and refreshing taste," said Geremy. Christy adds that fennel may be cancer-fighting and is a good source of folate, which is a B vitamin needed for healthy cell growth and repair.

Favourite ways to prepare fennel
Geremy: Raw – crisp and refreshing.
Christy: Roast it – draw out those sweet and savoury flavours.

Learn how to make Geremy and Christy's summer orecchiette with chard and fennel.

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ELLICSR Kitchen prepares seared scallops with a
grilled peach mojito salsa.
(Photo: Geremy Capone)

Peaches "taste like summer," said Geremy. "They're delicious as desserts, crumbles and savoury salsas," said Christy.  Peaches are low in calories and a good source of Vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps protect healthy cells and keeps your immune system strong.

Favourite ways to prepare peaches
Geremy: Grilled.
Christy: Eating them over the sink.

Learn how to make Geremy and Christy's seared scallops with a grilled peach mojito salsa.

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ELLICSR Kitchen prepares whole roasted garlic crostini. (Photo: Geremy Capone)

Garlic has become a staple on Ontario dinner tables. It's rich in antioxidants and helps reduce cardiovascular risk by lowering cholesterol. "We grow it fresh out of the ELLICSR garden," said Geremy and Christy.

Favourite ways to prepare garlic
Geremy & Christy: Roast it whole and spread on a crostini.

Learn how to make Geremy and Christy's whole roasted garlic crostini.

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ELLICSR Kitchen prepares sour cherry & pistachio cheesecake. (Photo: Geremy Capone)

Cherries are the "perfect snack in fruit form," said Geremy. "It has a very calming effect," said Christy.  "Cherries may actually help you get a good night's sleep." This is because they are a natural source of melatonin, a hormone that regulates your body's sleep and wake cycle.

Favourite ways to prepare cherries
Geremy: Freshly picked, right off the tree.
Christy: In the winter, put frozen cherries in Perrier sparkling water – it creates an instantly healthy cherry soda.

Learn how to make Geremy and Christy's sour cherry & pistachio cheesecake.

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Are you craving more healthy recipes? Visit www.ellicsrkitchen.ca to find nutritional information, watch live and archived cooking demonstrations and connect with the ELLICSR Kitchen team. If you have a green thumb, learn how to get involved with UHN's Real Food Garden, which is open to the public.

Related
VIDEO: The healing power of ELLICSR
Learn more about ELLICSR Health, Wellness & Cancer Survivorship Centre

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