The Farmer's Wife

The final installment of this interesting 3 part series on Calcium.

January 30, 1986

In addition to dairy foods and sea food there are several other foods high in calcium that can be used to add variety to a high calcium diet.

Collard and dandelion greens have over 200 milligrams of calcium per cup, raw. They are not very popular in the Mid West but Southerners really love them and grow them in their gardens most of the winter.

Turnip greens and kale have about 100 milligrams per cup, raw.

Another good source of calcium is tofu which has 130 milligrams per 3 1/2 servings. Tofu is a high protein meat substitute widely used in Asia and catching on here in this country.

Black strap molasses has 137 milligrams calcium in each tablespoon. An ordinary orange has 50 milligrams calcium.

Mexican food ingredients such as pinto beans and corn tortillas contain calcium. Each corn tortilla has 60 milligrams calcium. Processing the corn with lime during manufacturing increases the calcium content. A corn tortilla with melted cheese makes a quick calcium rich snack.

Tostada Salad

1 cup salmon, drained

1/2 cup green pepper, chopped

1/2 cup chopped carrot

1 small tomato, chopped

1/2 cup canned kidney beans, drained

4 corn tortillas

1 cup shredded cheese

2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce

Taco sauce

Mexican Dressing:

1 cup yogurt

1 tablespoon minced parsley

1 tablespoon minced onion

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon oregano leaves

1/4 teaspoon salt

Combine all ingredients for the dressing and set aside.

Combine salmon, green pepper, carrot, tomato and kidney beans with Mexican dressing refrigerate.

Place tortillas on baking sheet. Broil 1 minute on each side. Place on platter. Sprinkle with cheese and lettuce. Top with salmon mixture. Serve with taco sauce. Serves 4. 156 milligrams calcium per serving.

King Ranch Chicken

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 can Rotel hot tomatoes with juice

1 cup chicken broth

3 pound chicken, cooked, boned and chopped

12 soft corn tortillas, torn in small pieces

1 medium onion, chopped

1 pound grated cheddar cheese

Combine first four ingredients into a sauce. In a 9 x 13 inch casserole make a layer of tortillas, chicken, onions and cheese. Top with 1/4 of sauce. Repeat until all ingredients are used ending with a layer of cheese.

Bake covered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Freezes well.

Greek Dandelion Salad

1 pound dandelion greens

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 garlic clove, minced

Salt and pepper

2 ounces feta cheese, crumbled

Wash greens. Cook in 2 quarts boiling water until tender crisp — about 6 minutes. Drain. Rinse in cold water. Drain again. Place on paper towels to remove excess water. Arrange on a platter. Combine oil, lemon juice, garlic and salt and pepper. Drizzle over green. Refrigerate. At serving time garnish with feta cheese. Serves four. 194 milligrams calcium per serving.