Conquer Cancer Cups and A dedication

This post comes with A DEDICATION -- Dedication to all people who lost their lives battling cancer, like my Paternal Grandpa and his sister and to all people who survived it, like my mom's bosom buddy who lost her bosoms to cancer but certainly not her spirit and joy for living.
Why did I call this cups "Conquer Cancer" Cups? Because the filling is made with five of the top ten foods that exhibit strong anti-cancerous properties, as believed by scientists and researchers -- Apple, Broccoli,Garlic, Spinach, Tomato.
Have these powerful appetizers with a cup of  Tea, also a powerful anti-cancer food.

• Apple - In addition to their antioxidant benefits, apples contain the plant chemical quercetin, which has been shown to reduce lung cancer risk and slow the growth of prostate cancer cells.
• Broccoli - A cruciferous vegetable rich in anti-flavonoids which is believed to prevent the growth of precancerous polyps that can lead to colon cancer.
• Garlic - Garlic has been shown to reduce the risk of cancer of the stomach, esophagus, and breast. Mince garlic 10 minutes before cooking to increase its cancer fighting potential.
• Spinach - Spinach is known as the "gold standard" of green leafy vegetables. Packed with lutein and vitamin E, both powerful antioxidants, spinach helps ward off cancer of the liver, ovaries, colon, and prostate.
• Tomato - Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a plant chemical that has been shown to reduce the risk of prostate, ovarian, and cervical cancer. Tomato products, such as spaghetti sauce, tomato paste, and ketchup are particularly concentrated sources

For more info check here and here.

**Sending this as an entry to Eat Your Words 2010 challenge jointly hosted by Savor theThyme and Tangled Noodle**

Ingredients:

• Apple - 1/2 granny smith, fine diced
• Broccoli - 8 florets, fine diced
• Garlic - 3, big cloves, minced or grated
• Roma Tomatoes - 2, seeds removed and diced
• Spinach - 1 1/2 cups, torn and finely chopped
• Mozzarella cheese - 1/2 cup, shredded
• Puff Pastry sheet - 1, thawed 
• Onion - 1, small, diced
• Olive oil - 2 tbsp
• Salt for taste
• Cracked pepper - for taste

Procedure:

• In a skillet, heat the olive oil and add the minced garlic, onions and saute until the onion is browned.
• Add broccoli, tomatoes, salt, pepper and cook just until the tomatoes start shrinking and loses the raw smell.
• Add the spinach and fry until it wilts.
• Switch off the stove and add the apples. Let the mixture to cool.
• Cut the thawed puff pastry at the folds into 3 sections.
• Further cut each section into 4 rectangles.
• Press each rectangle gently  into the wells of a mini-muffin pan to form a small cup.
• Divide the mixture into 12 portions and spoon them into the cups.

• Sprinkle with Mozzarella cheese.

• Bake in a pre-heated oven at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until the cheese melts and a puff pastry is browned on the top and edges.
• Cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Note:

• Small strips were cut from each section to make the alphabets.
• The filling transforms from simply good to simply splendid after baking.

Enjoy!