Eggplant Red Bell Pepper Dip with Almonds
This is hugely popular as an appetizer with pita chips for dinner parties. I also use it as a spread on toasts or wraps – add some spinach leaves and maybe a sprinkle of pumpkin seeds — for a snack or even lunch.
Red bell pepper is a rich source of lutein and zeaxanthin, carotenoid vitamins related to vitamin A and beta-carotene. “A number of studies have shown an inverse relationship between dietary intake of foods rich in lutein/zeaxanthin and the incidence of age-related macular degeneration. Prevention of tis devastating visual disability is most likely a lifelong job. The earlier you start, the better off your retina will be. At the same time, it’s never too late to take action.”
SuperFoods Rx: Fourteen Foods that Will Change Your Life, Steven Pratt MD and Kathy Matthews