Have you ever used purslane in a recipe? It may surprise you to hear that this frequently disregarded plant—which is occasionally seen as a weed—is actually a nutritional powerhouse and can be quite pleasant. I was first introduced to this adaptable item by my Turkish neighbors, who also showed me how to use it to make a dish that surpasses the flavor of meat. Allow me to explain to you how to enjoy this tasty and healthful plant at home.
Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A, C, and E, and minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium are all abundant in purslane. It’s a lovely complement to many recipes because it’s not only healthy but also has a crisp texture and a somewhat acidic, lemony flavor. The best thing about it is that it grows really easily and is frequently found in markets and gardens.
You’ll need the following to make a tasty purslane meal with Turkish influences:
Two cups of young purslane leaves with delicate stalks
One large onion, diced finely
two minced garlic cloves
two medium-sized sliced tomatoes
One-third cup olive oil
One tsp of paprika
To taste, add salt and pepper.
Juice from lemons (optional)
To prepare the purslane, start by giving it a good rinse to get rid of any grit or debris. Take off any tough stems, leaving the fragile stems and leaves alone.
Sauté the Garlic and Onion: Heat the olive oil in a big skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and diced onion, and sauté them until aromatic and tender.
Add the Tomatoes: Cook the diced tomatoes for about 5 to 7 minutes, or until they begin to break down and produce a sauce.
Cook the Purslane: Add the purslane to the skillet along with the tomato mixture, making sure to fully combine. Add the pepper, salt, and paprika. Cook everything until the purslane is soft but still somewhat crunchy, about 5 minutes.
Finish with Lemon Juice: Right before serving, drizzle a little lemon juice over the dish to add even more flavor.
This is such a versatile dish made with purslane. It goes well warm as a side dish or cold as a component of a cool salad. It tastes well on its own with a slice of crusty bread or as an accompaniment to fish or grilled meats.
A tasty and healthy addition to any dish is purslane. Its distinct flavor may compete with even the tastiest meats. This easy and tasty meal with Turkish influences is a great way to incorporate this amazing plant into your diet. Try it and savor the delicious flavors and health advantages of purslane!
9 Differences Between Men and Women That Have an Unexpected Explanation
Today, we would like to talk about the differences between men and women. You might say that you’ve known about these differences for your entire life, but it’s not that simple. We are sure that we’ll be able to highlight a few facts you’ve never heard of before. And in the bonus section, you’ll find out where the fashion for high heels came from.
The length of fingers
Let’s conduct a short experiment. Place your hand on a flat surface and compare the length of your index and ring fingers. In general, in women, the index finger is longer. In men, the ring finger is longer. How can this be explained?
According to scientists, the length of these fingers depends on the level of male and female hormones that affect the fetus in the womb. So, the reason why the ring finger is longer than the index finger in men is testosterone.
The skin on the heels
Scientists have found out that women’s skin is more hydrated in the décolleté area and on the hands. Only the skin on their heels is dryer than that of men. So, in equal conditions, men’s heels will be smoother.
Breast
You might think, “Why would a man need nipples?” It might sound strange but every person was initially female. When an embryo begins to develop in the womb, the male Y chromosome doesn’t immediately start working.
During the first 5-6 weeks, development occurs only under the influence of the X chromosome, so the nipples have enough time to form. If the embryo is male, the Y chromosome “turns on” after this period of time, and a boy is formed.
Men can even produce milk. Lactation is activated under special conditions, for example, it may appear during treatment with the hormone prolactin.
Vision
Women are better at seeing colors, but men are good at tracking fast-moving objects. This is probably linked to our hunter-gatherer past when men were hunters and women were gatherers.
For example, an orange may appear redder to a man than to a woman. The grass is almost always greener for women because green objects appear more yellow to men.
Gaining muscle mass
Many women have to go to the gym regularly to have a toned body, while a man can just lift a barbell a couple of times to get a 6 pack. So, what is the “ingredient” responsible for muscle development? If you guessed testosterone, you’re right.
In women, it is also produced, but in much smaller quantities. So, it is easier and faster for men to gain muscle mass.
Hair loss
Going bald after the age of 50 is typical for around half of men (and for a quarter of women too). The reason for this is a widespread hereditary disease, androgenetic alopecia, which is also called “male pattern baldness.” Due to this condition, hair follicles shrink, and hair becomes thinner and shorter, and eventually disappears.
Follicle shrinkage can be caused by sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone, a by-product of testosterone. This means that the more muscle-building hormone a man has, the more likely it is that he will become bald.
Adam’s apple
Both men and women have an Adam’s apple, but it’s more prominent in men. Why? The Adam’s apple is the cartilage that protects our vocal cords. It is formed during puberty. Since adult men have larger vocal cords, their Adam’s apple is also more prominent.
By the way, the larger the Adam’s apple, the deeper the voice. There is a theory that our ancestors needed a low voice in order to scare away predators.
Brain size
A man’s brain is larger than that of a woman, but this doesn’t mean that men are intellectually superior to women. Also, some parts of the brain in both sexes are different in size and work differently. For example, the hippocampus, which is involved in learning and creating memories, is larger in women. And the amygdala, which is associated with experiencing emotions and remembering them, is larger in men.
Scientists conducted an experiment: they showed the subjects a video so that they could recall some personal experiences. It turned out that in men, activity was observed only in the right amygdala, and in women, only in the left one.
Beard
At first glance, it might seem that a beard doesn’t provide any benefits. So, why does it grow? There is a theory that the jawline looks more massive thanks to a beard, so its wearer looks stronger and more masculine. Perhaps, our female ancestors tended to choose men with a thick beard as their partners because they thought they would produce healthy offspring with them.
Bonus: Heels
Nowadays, high heels are one of the symbols of femininity, aren’t they? However, in the 17th century, Persian riders used to wear one-inch heels. And since owning horses was a symbol of wealth, heeled shoes also came to signify money and power. The Persians then brought their fashion to Europe.
The French king Louis XIV became a big fan of heels. He even issued a decree according to which only nobles were allowed to wear heels. The higher and redder the heel was, the more powerful the wearer was.
The Sun King only allowed those who he favored the most to wear red heels. But since the 18th century, heels have become a purely feminine attribute, although this didn’t stop rock stars like David Bowie and The Beatles from wearing them.
Which facts mentioned in this article were new to you? Tell us in the comments below.
Preview photo credit 16704029 / Pixabay
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