The healing kitchen: today, we hear a lot about foods that may ward off disease. Here, BN examines four of them and gives you delicious ways to put them to work for you.(beverages and nutrition)

cayenne

Capsaicin, the fiery compound that lends cayenne peppers their heat, has been studied extensively for its pain-reducing effects. Capsaicin inhibits a substance that transmits pain to the brain, and topical creams that contain it are used to treat neuropathic pain and musculoskeletal disorders such as osteoarthritis.

Cayenne is an excellent source of vitamin A, an antioxidant that may prevent some diseases--one teaspoon has 749IU or 32 percent of the RDA for women.

Not only does the heat of capsaicin add zing to a bland meal, but it actually helps your body burn off dinner calories by temporarily increasing your metabolic rate. Now that's something to get hot and bothered over.

 thai-style chef salad Serves 6 Loaded with fresh  vegetables and herbs, this salad gets its kick from the cayenne-spiced  dressing. Serve with grilled fish seasoned with garlic and pepper. Or,  for a main dish, toss in some cooked shrimp or chopped chicken. Salad 1  small head romaine   lettuce, chopped 1/2 red bell pepper, cut into  strips 1 carrot, peeled and shredded 2 cups bean sprouts 1 small  cucumber, halved   and sliced 1 cup snow peas, trimmed 1/4 cup small red  onion, slivered 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro 1/2 cup chopped fresh  mint 1/4 cup dry roasted peanuts,   crushed Dressing 2 Tbs. lime juice 2  Tbs. sesame oil 2 tsp. sugar 1 tsp. soy sauce 1 clove garlic, minced  

      
  tsp. cayenne pepper 1. Toss romaine, red pepper, carrot, bean  sprouts, cucumber, snow peas, onion, cilantro and mint in large salad  bowl. 2. Whisk all dressing ingredients in a small bowl until sugar is  dissolved. 3. Just before serving, gently toss salad and dressing.  Sprinkle with peanuts, and serve. PER SERVING: 117 CAL; 4G PROT; 7G  TOTAL FAT (1 G SAT. FAT); 11G CARB; 0MG CHOL; 130MG SOD; 4G FIBER; 6G  SUGARS 

rosemary

Shakespeare called it the herb of remembrance--an apt name for rosemary's unforgettable aroma. But this woody evergreen shrub is more than just the perfect addition to a roast.