Now please don’t all start running a mile just because you’ve heard the word ‘liver’! For anyone wanting to bring stress and anxiety levels down, liver is a wonderful food. It is rich in B vitamins, especially B12. It is also rich in zinc and is an abundant source of well absorbed iron. The nutrient we hear most about with liver is vitamin A. Vitamin A is extremely supportive for our natural immunity, offers protection for out mucous membranes and great for our skin. (See below re. pregnancy and vitamin A.) Why not try the de-stress dish?
The De-Stress Dish – Quick and Comforting
1 large Spanish onion
2 garlic cloves crushed or finely chopped
1 tbsp butter, 1 tbsp oil
200g organic chicken livers – remove membranes and cut into chunks
50g flour seasoned with salt, pepper and paprika (cornflour for the wheat free)
120g white seedless grapes – halved
4 slices good rye bread or a crusty dense wholemeal bread
1 small bunch or chives, parsley – chopped
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Gently soften the onion and garlic in the oil. Take care not to brown as this alters the fats and gives the onion and garlic a bitter taste. Add a tbsp of water to prevent it catching if needed.
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Roll the liver lightly in the seasoned flour and add to the pan. Increase the heat and cook for 3 or 4 minutes.
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Add a small amount of water to de-glaze the pan.
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Remove from the heat, mix in the grapes and leave whilst you toast the bread.
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Put a light coating or spray of good olive oil on the toast then top with the livers and finally the fresh herbs.
WARNING: If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant do not eat liver. Whilst sufficient vitamin A is essential for the baby’s development, too much has been associated with birth defects. A teaspoon of lamb’s liver contains a day’s dose of vitamin A – an average portion offers over 500 percent.
