Eating ....

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ أَوْفُواْ بِالْعُقُودِ أُحِلَّتْ لَكُم بَهِيمَةُ الأَنْعَامِ إِلاَّ مَا يُتْلَى عَلَيْكُمْ غَيْرَ مُحِلِّي الصَّيْدِ وَأَنتُمْ حُرُمٌ إِنَّ اللّهَ يَحْكُمُ مَا يُرِيدُ

5.1 . O ye who believe! Fulfil your undertakings . The beast of cattle is made lawful unto you ( for food ) except that which is announced unto you ( herein ) , game being unlawful when ye are on pilgrimage . Lo! Allah ordaineth that which pleaseth Him .

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ لاَ تُحِلُّواْ شَعَآئِرَ اللّهِ وَلاَ الشَّهْرَ الْحَرَامَ وَلاَ الْهَدْيَ وَلاَ الْقَلآئِدَ وَلا آمِّينَ الْبَيْتَ الْحَرَامَ يَبْتَغُونَ فَضْلاً مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَرِضْوَاناً وَإِذَا حَلَلْتُمْ فَاصْطَادُواْ وَلاَ يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَآنُ قَوْمٍ أَن صَدُّوكُمْ عَنِ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ أَن تَعْتَدُواْ وَتَعَاوَنُواْ عَلَى الْبرِّ وَالتَّقْوَى وَلاَ تَعَاوَنُواْ عَلَى الإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ وَاتَّقُواْ اللّهَ إِنَّ اللّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ

5.2 . O ye who believe! Profane not Allah ' s monuments nor the Sacred Month nor the offerings nor the garlands , nor those repairing to the Sacred House , seeking the grace and pleasure of Allah . But when ye have left the sacred territory , then go hunting ( if ye will ) . And let not your hatred of a folk who ( once ) stopped your going to the Inviolable Place of Worship seduce you to transgress ; but help ye one another unto righteousness and pious duty . Help not one another unto sin and transgression , but keep your duty to Allah . Lo! Allah is severe in punishment .

حُرِّمَتْ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَيْتَةُ وَالْدَّمُ وَلَحْمُ الْخِنْزِيرِ وَمَا أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ اللّهِ بِهِ وَالْمُنْخَنِقَةُ وَالْمَوْقُوذَةُ وَالْمُتَرَدِّيَةُ وَالنَّطِيحَةُ وَمَا أَكَلَ السَّبُعُ إِلاَّ مَا ذَكَّيْتُمْ وَمَا ذُبِحَ عَلَى النُّصُبِ وَأَن تَسْتَقْسِمُواْ بِالأَزْلاَمِ ذَلِكُمْ فِسْقٌ الْيَوْمَ يَئِسَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِن دِينِكُمْ فَلاَ تَخْشَوْهُمْ وَاخْشَوْنِ الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الإِسْلاَمَ دِيناً فَمَنِ اضْطُرَّ فِي مَخْمَصَةٍ غَيْرَ مُتَجَانِفٍ لِّإِثْمٍ فَإِنَّ اللّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
5.3 . Forbidden unto you ( for food ) are carrion and blood and swine flesh , and that which hath been dedicated unto any other than Allah , and the strangled , and the dead through beating , and the dead through falling from a height , and that which hath been killed by ( the goring of ) horns , and the devoured of wild beasts , saving that which ye make lawful ( by the death stroke ) , and that which hath been immolated unto idols . And ( forbidden is it ) that ye swear by the divining arrows . This is an abomination . This day are those who disbelieve in despair of ( ever harming ) your religion ; so fear them not , fear Me! This day have I perfected your religion for you and completed My favor unto you , and have chosen for you as religion AL- ISLAM . Whoso is forced by hunger , not by will , to sin : ( for him ) lo! Allah is Forgiving , Merciful .

يَسْأَلُونَكَ مَاذَا أُحِلَّ لَهُمْ قُلْ أُحِلَّ لَكُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ وَمَا عَلَّمْتُم مِّنَ الْجَوَارِحِ مُكَلِّبِينَ تُعَلِّمُونَهُنَّ مِمَّا عَلَّمَكُمُ اللّهُ فَكُلُواْ مِمَّا أَمْسَكْنَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَاذْكُرُواْ اسْمَ اللّهِ عَلَيْهِ وَاتَّقُواْ اللّهَ إِنَّ اللّهَ سَرِيعُ الْحِسَابِ

5.4 . They ask thee ( O Muhammad ) what is made lawful for them . Say : ( all ) good things are made lawful for you . And those beasts and birds of prey which ye have trained as hounds are trained , ye teach them that which Allah taught you ; so eat of that which they catch for you and mention Allah ' s name upon it , and observe your duty to Allah . Lo! Allah is swift to take account .

الْيَوْمَ أُحِلَّ لَكُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ وَطَعَامُ الَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ الْكِتَابَ حِلٌّ لَّكُمْ وَطَعَامُكُمْ حِلُّ لَّهُمْ وَالْمُحْصَنَاتُ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَالْمُحْصَنَاتُ مِنَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ الْكِتَابَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ إِذَا آتَيْتُمُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ مُحْصِنِينَ غَيْرَ مُسَافِحِينَ وَلاَ مُتَّخِذِي أَخْدَانٍ وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِالإِيمَانِ فَقَدْ حَبِطَ عَمَلُهُ وَهُوَ فِي الآخِرَةِ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ
5.5 . This day are ( all ) good things made lawful for you . The food of those who have received the Scripture is lawful for you , and your food is lawful for them . And so are the virtuous women of the believers and the virtuous women of those who received the Scripture before you ( lawful for you ) when ye give them their marriage portions and live with them in honor , not in fornication , nor taking them as secret concubines . Whoso denieth the faith , his work is vain and he will be among the losers in the Hereafter .

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى الصَّلاةِ فاغْسِلُواْ وُجُوهَكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ إِلَى الْمَرَافِقِ وَامْسَحُواْ بِرُؤُوسِكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ إِلَى الْكَعْبَينِ وَإِن كُنتُمْ جُنُباً فَاطَّهَّرُواْ وَإِن كُنتُم مَّرْضَى أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ أَوْ جَاء أَحَدٌ مَّنكُم مِّنَ الْغَائِطِ أَوْ لاَمَسْتُمُ النِّسَاء فَلَمْ تَجِدُواْ مَاء فَتَيَمَّمُواْ صَعِيداً طَيِّباً فَامْسَحُواْ بِوُجُوهِكُمْ وَأَيْدِيكُم مِّنْهُ مَا يُرِيدُ اللّهُ لِيَجْعَلَ عَلَيْكُم مِّنْ حَرَجٍ وَلَـكِن يُرِيدُ لِيُطَهَّرَكُمْ وَلِيُتِمَّ نِعْمَتَهُ عَلَيْكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

5.6 . O ye who believe! When ye rise up for prayer , wash your face , and your hands up to the elbows , and lightly rub your heads and ( wash ) your feet up to the ankles . And if ye are unclean , purify yourselves . And if ye are sick or on a journey , or one of you cometh from the closet , or ye have had contact with women , and ye find not water , then go to clean , high ground and rub your faces and your hands with some of it . Allah would not place a burden on you , but He would purify you and would perfect His grace upon you , that ye may give thanks .

وَاذْكُرُواْ نِعْمَةَ اللّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَمِيثَاقَهُ الَّذِي وَاثَقَكُم بِهِ إِذْ قُلْتُمْ سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا وَاتَّقُواْ اللّهَ إِنَّ اللّهَ عَلِيمٌ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُورِ

5.7 . Remember Allah ' s grace upon you and His covenant by which He bound you when ye said : We hear and we obey ; and keep your duty to Allah . Allah knoweth what is in the breasts ( of men ) .

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ كُونُواْ قَوَّامِينَ لِلّهِ شُهَدَاء بِالْقِسْطِ وَلاَ يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَآنُ قَوْمٍ عَلَى أَلاَّ تَعْدِلُواْ اعْدِلُواْ هُوَ أَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوَى وَاتَّقُواْ اللّهَ إِنَّ اللّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ

5.8 . O ye who believe! Be steadfast witnesses for Allah in equity , and let not hatred of any people seduce you that ye deal not justly . Deal justly , that is nearer to your duty . Observe your duty to Allah . Lo! Allah is Informed of what ye do .

وَعَدَ اللّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ الصَّالِحَاتِ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ وَأَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ

5.9 . Allah hath promised those who believe and do good works : Theirs will be forgiveness and immense reward .

وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ وَكَذَّبُواْ بِآيَاتِنَا أُوْلَـئِكَ أَصْحَابُ الْجَحِيمِ

5.10 . And they who disbelieve and deny Our revelations , such are rightful owners of hell .

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ أَوْفُواْ بِالْعُقُودِ أُحِلَّتْ لَكُم بَهِيمَةُ الأَنْعَامِ إِلاَّ مَا يُتْلَى عَلَيْكُمْ غَيْرَ مُحِلِّي الصَّيْدِ وَأَنتُمْ حُرُمٌ إِنَّ اللّهَ يَحْكُمُ مَا يُرِيدُ

5.1 . O ye who believe! Fulfil your undertakings . The beast of cattle is made lawful unto you ( for food ) except that which is announced unto you ( herein ) , game being unlawful when ye are on pilgrimage . Lo! Allah ordaineth that which pleaseth Him .

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ لاَ تُحِلُّواْ شَعَآئِرَ اللّهِ وَلاَ الشَّهْرَ الْحَرَامَ وَلاَ الْهَدْيَ وَلاَ الْقَلآئِدَ وَلا آمِّينَ الْبَيْتَ الْحَرَامَ يَبْتَغُونَ فَضْلاً مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَرِضْوَاناً وَإِذَا حَلَلْتُمْ فَاصْطَادُواْ وَلاَ يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَآنُ قَوْمٍ أَن صَدُّوكُمْ عَنِ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ أَن تَعْتَدُواْ وَتَعَاوَنُواْ عَلَى الْبرِّ وَالتَّقْوَى وَلاَ تَعَاوَنُواْ عَلَى الإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ وَاتَّقُواْ اللّهَ إِنَّ اللّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ

5.2 . O ye who believe! Profane not Allah ' s monuments nor the Sacred Month nor the offerings nor the garlands , nor those repairing to the Sacred House , seeking the grace and pleasure of Allah . But when ye have left the sacred territory , then go hunting ( if ye will ) . And let not your hatred of a folk who ( once ) stopped your going to the Inviolable Place of Worship seduce you to transgress ; but help ye one another unto righteousness and pious duty . Help not one another unto sin and transgression , but keep your duty to Allah . Lo! Allah is severe in punishment .

حُرِّمَتْ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَيْتَةُ وَالْدَّمُ وَلَحْمُ الْخِنْزِيرِ وَمَا أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ اللّهِ بِهِ وَالْمُنْخَنِقَةُ وَالْمَوْقُوذَةُ وَالْمُتَرَدِّيَةُ وَالنَّطِيحَةُ وَمَا أَكَلَ السَّبُعُ إِلاَّ مَا ذَكَّيْتُمْ وَمَا ذُبِحَ عَلَى النُّصُبِ وَأَن تَسْتَقْسِمُواْ بِالأَزْلاَمِ ذَلِكُمْ فِسْقٌ الْيَوْمَ يَئِسَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِن دِينِكُمْ فَلاَ تَخْشَوْهُمْ وَاخْشَوْنِ الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الإِسْلاَمَ دِيناً فَمَنِ اضْطُرَّ فِي مَخْمَصَةٍ غَيْرَ مُتَجَانِفٍ لِّإِثْمٍ فَإِنَّ اللّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

5.3 . Forbidden unto you ( for food ) are carrion and blood and swine flesh , and that which hath been dedicated unto any other than Allah , and the strangled , and the dead through beating , and the dead through falling from a height , and that which hath been killed by ( the goring of ) horns , and the devoured of wild beasts , saving that which ye make lawful ( by the death stroke ) , and that which hath been immolated unto idols . And ( forbidden is it ) that ye swear by the divining arrows . This is an abomination . This day are those who disbelieve in despair of ( ever harming ) your religion ; so fear them not , fear Me! This day have I perfected your religion for you and completed My favor unto you , and have chosen for you as religion AL- ISLAM . Whoso is forced by hunger , not by will , to sin : ( for him ) lo! Allah is Forgiving , Merciful .

يَسْأَلُونَكَ مَاذَا أُحِلَّ لَهُمْ قُلْ أُحِلَّ لَكُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ وَمَا عَلَّمْتُم مِّنَ الْجَوَارِحِ مُكَلِّبِينَ تُعَلِّمُونَهُنَّ مِمَّا عَلَّمَكُمُ اللّهُ فَكُلُواْ مِمَّا أَمْسَكْنَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَاذْكُرُواْ اسْمَ اللّهِ عَلَيْهِ وَاتَّقُواْ اللّهَ إِنَّ اللّهَ سَرِيعُ الْحِسَابِ

5.4 . They ask thee ( O Muhammad ) what is made lawful for them . Say : ( all ) good things are made lawful for you . And those beasts and birds of prey which ye have trained as hounds are trained , ye teach them that which Allah taught you ; so eat of that which they catch for you and mention Allah ' s name upon it , and observe your duty to Allah . Lo! Allah is swift to take account .

الْيَوْمَ أُحِلَّ لَكُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ وَطَعَامُ الَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ الْكِتَابَ حِلٌّ لَّكُمْ وَطَعَامُكُمْ حِلُّ لَّهُمْ وَالْمُحْصَنَاتُ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَالْمُحْصَنَاتُ مِنَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ الْكِتَابَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ إِذَا آتَيْتُمُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ مُحْصِنِينَ غَيْرَ مُسَافِحِينَ وَلاَ مُتَّخِذِي أَخْدَانٍ وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِالإِيمَانِ فَقَدْ حَبِطَ عَمَلُهُ وَهُوَ فِي الآخِرَةِ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ

5.5 . This day are ( all ) good things made lawful for you . The food of those who have received the Scripture is lawful for you , and your food is lawful for them . And so are the virtuous women of the believers and the virtuous women of those who received the Scripture before you ( lawful for you ) when ye give them their marriage portions and live with them in honor , not in fornication , nor taking them as secret concubines . Whoso denieth the faith , his work is vain and he will be among the losers in the Hereafter .

islamic Food

Muslims follow dietary laws that are similar to Jewish kosher regulations. Foods that Muslims can eat are called Halal. Prohibited foods are called Haram and questionable foods are called Mashbooh.
Swine and pork products, as well as meat not properly slaughtered or slaughtered in any name other than Allah are Haram.

Carnivorous animals and birds or prey are also Haram. Haram animals include pig, dog, donkey, carnivores, monkeys, cats, lions, frogs, crocodiles, turtles, worms, flies, cockroaches, owls, and eagles. Alcohol, coffee, tea and other drugs are Haram. Halal foods that have become contaminated by contact with prohibited foods are also Haram.


Halal is an Arabic word meaning lawful or permitted.

The opposite of Halal is Haram, which means unlawful or prohibited. Halal and Haram are universal terms that apply to all facets of life. However, we will use these terms only in relation to food products, meat products, cosmetics, personal care products, food ingredients, and food contact materials.

While many things are clearly Halal or clearly Haram, there are some things which are not clear. These items are considered questionable or suspect and more information is needed to categorize them as Halal or Haram. Such items are often referred to as Mashbooh, which means doubtful or questionable.

All foods are considered Halal except the following, which are Haram:

Swine/pork and its by-products

Animals improperly slaughtered or dead before slaughtering

Animals killed in the name of anyone other than ALLAH (God)

Alcohol and intoxicants

Carnivorous animals, birds of prey and land animals without external ears

Blood and blood by-products

Foods contaminated with any of the above products

Foods containing ingredients such as gelatin, enzymes, emulsifiers, etc. are questionable (Mashbooh) because the origin of these ingredients is not known.

Types of olive oil

Generally, olive oil is extracted by pressing or crushing olives. Olive oil comes in different varieties, depending on the amount of processing involved. Varieties include:
Extra virgin - considered the best, least processed, comprising the oil from the first pressing of the olives.Virgin - from the second pressing.Pure - undergoes some processing, such as filtering and refining.Extra light - undergoes considerable processing and only retains a very mild olive flavour.
When buying olive oil you will want to obtain a high quality EXTRA VIRGIN oil. The oil that comes from the first "pressing" of the olive, is extracted without using heat (a cold press) or chemicals, and has no "off" flavors is awarded "extra virgin" status. The less the olive oil is handled, the closer to its natural state, the better the oil. If the olive oil meets all the criteria, it can be designated as "extra virgin".

What is pure and light olive oil? "Pure" olive oil is made by adding a little extra virgin olive oil to refined olive oil. It is a lesser grade oil that is also labeled as just "olive oil" in the U.S.
"Light" olive oil is a marketing concept and not a classification of olive oil grades. It is completely unregulated by any certification organizations and therefore has no real precedent to what its content should be. Sometimes, the olive oil is cut with other vegetable oils.

How to care for your olive oil

Resist the temptation to place your beautiful bottle of olive oil on the windowsill. Light and heat are the #1 enemy of oil. Keep olive oil in a cool and dark place, tightly sealed. Oxygen promotes rancidity. Olive oil is like other oils and can easily go rancid when exposed to air, light or high temperatures.

You can of course buy extra virgin olive oil in any grocery store. A good source on the internet for extra virgin olive oil .

Olive oil versus canola oil

Do not fall into the hype which is put out by traditional medicine regarding the promotion of canola oil (rapeseed) as superior due to its concentration of monounsaturated fatty acids.

Olive oil is far superior and has been around for thousands of years. Canola oil is a relatively recent development and the original crops were unfit for human consumption due to their high content of a dangerous fatty acid called euric acid.

If the taste of olive oil is a problem, or if you are frying or sautéing food, then you should consider coconut oil. Many nutritionally misinformed people would consider this unwise due to coconut oil's nearly exclusive content of saturated fat. However, this is just not the case. Because it has mostly saturated fat, it is much less dangerous to heat. The heat will not tend to cause the oil to transition into dangerous trans fatty acids.

Olive oil and heart disease, cure

Olive oil and heart disease

Studies have shown that people who consumed 25 milliliters (mL) - about 2 tablespoons - of virgin olive oil daily for 1 week showed less oxidation of LDL cholesterol and higher levels of antioxidant compounds, particularly phenols, in the blood.(4)
But while all types of olive oil are sources of monounsaturated fat, EXTRA VIRGIN olive oil, from the first pressing of the olives, contains higher levels of antioxidants, particularly vitamin E and phenols, because it is less processed.
Olive oil is clearly one of the good oils, one of the healing fats. Most people do quite well with it since it does not upset the critical omega 6 to omega 3 ratio and most of the fatty acids in olive oil are actually an omega-9 oil which is monounsaturated.

Olive oil and colon cancer

Spanish researchers suggest that including olive oil in your diet may also offer benefits in terms of colon cancer prevention (5). Their study results showed that rats fed diet supplemented with olive oil had a lower risk of colon cancer than those fed safflower oil-supplemented diets. In fact, the rats that received olive oil had colon cancer rates almost as low as those fed fish oil, which several studies have already linked to a reduction in colon cancer risk.

Olive oil's health benefits

Olive oil's health benefits

The greatest exponent of monounsaturated fat is olive oil, and it is a prime component of the Mediterranean Diet. Olive oil is a natural juice which preserves the taste, aroma, vitamins and properties of the olive fruit. Olive oil is the only vegetable oil that can be consumed as it is - freshly pressed from the fruit.

The beneficial health effects of olive oil are due to both its high content of monounsaturated fatty acids and its high content of antioxidative substances. Studies have shown that olive oil offers protection against heart disease by controlling LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels while raising HDL (the "good" cholesterol) levels. (1-3) No other naturally produced oil has as large an amount of monounsaturated as olive oil -mainly oleic acid.

Olive oil is very well tolerated by the stomach. In fact, olive oil's protective function has a beneficial effect on ulcers and gastritis. Olive oil activates the secretion of bile and pancreatic hormones much more naturally than prescribed drugs. Consequently, it lowers the incidence of gallstone formation

Olive oil... zaitoon kaa tail, urdu

Ginger recipes

Ginger Cinnamon Tea Ingredients:

1/2 cup thinly sliced fresh ginger

6 cups water

2 cinnamon sticks

2 tablespoons honey

In a saucepan, simmer the ginger, cinnamon sticks, and water for about 20 minutes. Add honey and strain tea through a sieve or tea strainer.

Ginger LemonadeIngredients:

3 cups granulated sugar

4 quarts water 10-14 slices fresh ginger root

4 cups fresh lemon juice
Combine sugar, water and ginger root in a pan.

Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.

Stir in lemon juice.

Cool for about 15 minutes. Remove the ginger. Pour into a covered pitcher and chill for at least 1 hour. Serve with ice.

Lemon Ginger Thyme MuffinsFrom Dannon.com

Ingredients:

1 cup DANNON®

Plain Yogurt2 cups

all-purpose flour1 teaspoon

baking soda1 teaspoon

ground ginger1/2 teaspoon

salt1/2 cup

canola oil

1 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 cup golden raisins

2 tablespoons fresh chopped ginger

1 tablespoon lemon zest

1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme

Lightly grease 2 mini-muffin pans or 1 muffin tin (12)

Pre-heat oven 350°F.

Sift together flour, soda, ground ginger and salt;

reserve. With a mixer, cream oil and sugar.

Add eggs and mix well. Mix in flour and yogurt, alternatively, ending with flour.

(This is a basic muffin batter.)

Fold in raisins, fresh ginger, lemon zest and thyme.

Scoop batter into prepared muffin tins and bake: mini muffins for 18-20 minutes/large muffins for 22-25 minutes.

Cool on a rack before serving. Makes 12 large muffins or about 48 mini muffins.

Ginger Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup plus 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt 10 tablespoons

(1-1/4 sticks) butter, softened

1/2 cup (lightly packed) light brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

2 teaspoons grated lemon zest

1/4 cup grated fresh ginger

1/4 cup molasses

Sift the flour, baking soda, and salt together into a bowl and set aside.

At medium speed, cream the butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, allspice, lemon zest, and ginger together in a bowl until light and fluffy, 2 1/2 to 3 minutes.

Scrape the bowl with a rubber spatula while mixing.

Add the molasses and mix on low speed for several seconds.

Add the flour mixture and mix on low speed until the mixture is fluffy again.

Scrape the bowl.

Divide the dough in half. Form logs of each half and wrap tightly in waxed paper.

Chill the dough for 2 hours. After 2 hours gently roll the wrapped dough back and forth on the work surface to smooth out the cylinder.

Refrigerate again for 4 to 6 hours or overnight.

Fifteen minutes before baking preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Line several baking sheets with parchment paper, or leave them ungreased.

Cut the rolls into 1/4-inch-thick slices.

Place the cookies 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.

Bake until they are crisp and firm, with brown edges, 14 to 16 minutes.

Cool on the baking sheets. Store covered, or freeze for up to two weeks. Makes 40 cookies.

Ginger Dill Dip

Ingredients:

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 minced or crushed garlic clove

1 tablespoon minced fresh dill1 tablespoon finely chopped onion

1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and minced

Combine sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic and dill together in a bowl, using a whisk. Add ginger to sour cream mixture and blend until smooth. Chill. Serve with fresh vegetables. Note: You can use light mayonnaise and sour cream.

Shrimp Vinaigrette

1 pound medium or large shrimp, cooked, peeled, deveined

1/2 cup olive oil 3 tablespoons wine or herb vinegar 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard

1 tablespoons minced green onions1 tsp. finely minced fresh ginger

2 cloves garlic, finely minced

1 tablespoon minced fresh dill Pinch of sugar

Salt and pepper to taste

Place shrimp in large bowl. Combine olive oil, vinegar, mustard, onions, ginger, garlic, dill, sugar, salt and pepper in a jar; shake to mix. Pour over shrimp, mix gently to coat. Chill 2-4 hours, stirring occasionally.

Serve on lettuce or greens, or top bread or crackers with the shrimp.

Ginger Peas and Carrots

Ingredients:

4 small carrots, cut into thin slices

2 tablespoon chicken or vegetable stock

1 cup peas

1/2 tsp. fresh grated ginger

1 clove garlic, minced

1/4 cup water

In a medium sized pan, sauté the carrots in the stock for 5 minutes. Add the peas, ginger, garlic and water. Partially cover the pan and when the water boils, turn down the heat and steam for 5-7 minutes or until the carrots are tender. Makes 4 servings.

Ginger Poundcake

Ingredients:

3/4 cup margarine

1 1/2 c. sugar3 eggs

1 1/2 tsp. grated lemon peel

1 tsp. vanilla

2 1/4 c. flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1 1/2 tsp. ground ginger

3/4 tsp. salt1 cup plain yogurt

In a large bowl, beat margarine and sugar until light.

Beat in eggs, lemon peel and vanilla.

Combine flour, baking powder, ginger and salt.

Beat into sugar mixture, alternately with yogurt, until just blended. Spoon into greased and floured 9x5x3 inch loaf pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for one hour and 15 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes clean. Cool 15 minutes, then remove from pan. Serve with yogurt or whipped cream and fresh or frozen berries.

Ginger Sheet Cake

Ingredients:

3 eggs2 egg yolks

1 1/2 cups milk

3 tablespoons grated fresh ginger

1 tablespoon vanilla

3 cups cake flour (not self-rising)

2 cups sugar1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature

3/4 cup vegetable oil

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 13x 9x2 inch metal baking pan.

Line bottom of pan with waxed paper or parchment. Flour and grease the paper and the pan. Beat eggs, egg yolks 1 1/4 cups milk, ginger and vanilla on medium speed in mixing bowl until blended.

Combine flour, sugar and baking powder and salt in large bowl. Beat on low speed 30 seconds. Add to flour mixture remaining 1/4 cup milk, butter and oil.

Beat on low speed just until dry ingredients are moistened.

Increase speed to medium and beat 1 1/2 minutes or until blended.

Add one-third of egg mixture, beat on medium speed 20 seconds, until blended. Repeat until all egg mixture is used, scraping down sides after each addition.

Pour into prepared pan. Bake in 350 degree oven for about 55 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool cake in pan on rack 15 minutes, then turn out onto rack to cool. Peel off waxed paper and invert onto another rack. Place cake on serving platter. Spread Honey-Cream Frosting over sides and top of cake.

Honey-Cream Frosting:

Beat 8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in bowl on medium speed until creamy, about 3 minutes.

On low speed, beat in 5 cups confectioners' sugar alternately with 3 tablespoons honey until frosting is spreadable.

Grilled Tuna Steaks

Ingredients:

4 Tuna Steaks, about 1 1/2 pounds

1 cup teriyaki sauce

1/2 teaspoon garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger, peeled and minced

Mix the teriyaki sauce, ginger and garlic.

Add the tuna and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, turning 2 or 3 times.

Pre-heat the grill. Place the steaks on grill and cook until just done, basting with the marinade.