Star Power - How About Exotic Star Fruit!

Sometimes it gets boring, eating the same old fruits; oranges, apples, strawberries, raspberries, etc.  But have you tried to dig a little deeper in the exotic fruits.  I bet you have walked by this or picked it up and thought, what is this and what do I do with it?

Well Exotic Star Fruit is full of nutrients!  It has what I call Star Power -- 100% star-fruit is one of nature’s most potent and exotic sources of polyphenolic antioxidants and vitamin C.   

It has a similar taste to an apple which is mildly sweet and tart.  Its a low calorie tropical fruit at 31 calories.  It contains good quantities of Vitamin C which helps the aid the body in resisting infectious agents and scavenge harmful pro-inflammatory  free radicals from the body.

It also contains small amount of minerals and electrolytes like potassium, phosphorus, and zinc and iron. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure; counters the bad influences of sodium.

The juice is often recommended in many folk medicine in Brazil as a diuretic, and expectorant, and to suppress cough.

The fruit has a waxy peel which provides good amount of dietary fiber.  Fiber helps prevent absorption of dietary LDL cholesterol in the gut. The dietary fibers also help protect the mucous membrane of the colon from exposure to toxic substances by binding to cancer causing chemicals in the colon.

 Here are some creative ways to enjoy starfruit:

• Slice and eat as a snack with some almond butter.
• Throw in your morning smoothie.
• Juice and enjoy the benefits of it's high power nutrients.
• Grill sliced star fruit and add to salads.
• Garnish a cocktail
•  Dip is dark chocolate and pistachio pieces.
• Serve with sliced cheese at a wine party
• Star Fruit Chips (dehydrate in 150 degree oven until the moisture is out.  Seal in baggies and snack on them with mixed nuts.)
• Fruit Roll Ups - Mix in food processor, add agave nectar to sweeten and then spread mixture onto a silicon baking sheet and dehydrate in 150 degree oven until moisture is out.  Peel and roll up.  Wrap in plastic wrap and snack.)

Thai Star Fruit & Oatmeal

• Place the star fruit in a skillet on the stove and over medium high heat, add some orange juice. Stir well and turn heat to high until juice begins to boil. Then turn down to a lower simmer.
• Allow to simmer for until the star fruit has softened enough cut easily. Turn and remove any brown seeds that loosened. 
•  Add some mango puree.
•  Sweeten with some agave nectar
• Add to cooked old fashioned oatmeal and then drizzle the top with some coconut milk.  Garnish with pomegranate seeds.