Crock pot Chicken, Italian Style

This is one of our family's favorite crock pot meals. You may either cook this in a crock-pot or a large pot on the stove, depending on availability of equipment and time.

Crock Pot Chicken, Italian Style

This dish is abundant in lycopene, and onions are a major source of a Quercetin, a super-antioxidant. Similar to garlic, onions and shallots seem to be most helpful in cancers of the digestive tract (e.g. esophagus, stomach, and colon). Bell Peppers offer the antioxidant beta carotene.

Thyme It is an excellent source of iron and manganese and Thymol has been found to protect and significantly increase the percentage of healthy fats found in cell membranes and other cell structures.

  • 1 large organic Red Onion, cut into 8 pieces

  • 1 large organic Yellow or Red Bell Pepper, cut into 8 pieces

  • 2 tsp. fresh organic Thyme leaves (1 tsp. dry)

  • 6- 2" long fresh Sage leaves (1 tsp. dry)

  • A handful of baby Bok Choy or Spinach leaves

  • 1 tsp. organic Oregano

  • 4 organic, free-range Chicken Thighs

  • 2 organic, free-range Chicken Breasts, cut in half (to make 4 pieces)

  • 1 shallot, diced (1 Tbs.)

  • 2 cups homemade or jarred organic Marinara Sauce

  • 1 tsp. Sea Salt

  • 1 tsp. Black Pepper

  • Pinch of Cayenne Pepper (opt)

Place half the onions, peppers and herbs in the bottom of the pot.

Add half the chicken, then the rest of the onions, peppers, herbs and the rest of chicken.  Sprinkle shallot and seasoning on top.

Pour sauce over chicken, nudging pieces with a spoon to allow the sauce to make its way to the bottom.

Crock Pot: Cover and place on High.  Time for 3 1/2 hours.

Stove Top: Add 1/2 c. of water to chicken, and place on medium high until sauce begins to bubble.  Turn to medium low, cover and cook for 1 hour. Check at 30 minutes, gently stirring to make sure chicken is covered with sauce.
~ Sahtein! (double health) ♥

Serve with baked sweet potatoes and a fresh mixed green salad for a delightful meal.

Vegan Eggplant and Spicy Chopped Salad Sandwich

Eggplant - Mushroom Medley

I love this concoction because it goes well on lupin flour pasta, on a GF cracker or as a dip.

  • 1 med. organic white Onion, chopped

  • 1 med. Eggplant, mostly peeled and diced

  • 5 organic Mushrooms, peeled and chopped

  • 1 organic Tomato, chopped

  • 1 c. chopped Parsley

  • 1 Tbs. organic Tomato  Paste mixed with 1/2 c. hot water

  • 1 tsp. Pink Sea Salt, or to taste

  • 1/2 tsp. Black Pepper

  • 1/2 tsp. Cayenne Pepper (opt.)

  • 5 cloves of Garlic, chopped

  • 1 Tbs. e.v. Olive Oil

Place onion in a large saucepan over medium heat, no oil.  Watch the onion, stirring until it begins to turn brown.

Add eggplant and mushrooms and cover, turn to medium low, and stir every 2 minutes, until eggplant is wilted.

Add tomato and parsley. Stir, cover and simmer over low heat for 5 minutes.

Add the diluted tomato paste, seasoning and garlic, turn heat to medium, and cook uncovered for another 10 minutes, or until veggies are cooked through and water is absorbed.

You may drizzle with of olive oil once you remove from heat.  This dish is good warm or cold.

Spicy Chopped Salad

  • 1/2 bunch organic Parsley, chopped

  • 1/2 bunch organic Cilantro, chopped

  • 1 small white Onion, diced

  • 1 organic Tomato, chopped

  • 1/2 organic Jalapeno pepper, minced

  • 1 Tbs. fresh Lime juice

  • 2 tsp. fresh Lemon juice

  • 1/2 tsp. Pink Sea Salt

  • 1 Tbs. virgin Olive Oil

Mix it all up!

Serve as a topping for stews, sandwiches or as a fresh dip with toasted GF bread.

Assemble Sandwich

  • Vegenaise (opt.)

  • 1 Tbs. organic Tomato Paste

  • GF, high-fiber Bread or WASA Rye cracker

Spread a slice or bread or a cracker with tomato paste and the other slice or cracker with Vegenaise.

Spread some of the Eggplant Medley over the tomato paste. Then top with Spicy Salad.

eggplant sandw3

(You may add a protein if you like).

Cover with other slice, press down, and munch!

The Most Delicious Non-dairy Ice Cream!

Two new yummy words: ASHTA and MASTIC GUM.

Ashta is the creamy foundation of many Lebanese Desserts. It is made with either dry milk, or for a richer flavor half and half. It is used as a filling in shredded phyllo desserts, and in pastry. It is also served as a dessert with nuts, or frozen.

Lebanese Ice Cream

Lebanese ice cream contains mastic gum, which lends it a gelato-like texture. It comes in a myriad of flavors and is served in narrow cones.

Mastic Gum

This is a resin made from the pistacia lentiscus tree. The mastic plant originated in the Mediterranean nations in the south of Europe, northern portions of Africa, and the Middle East. The gum has a variety of uses in cooking, art, and alternative medicine.

For cooking, mastic gum requires boiling in hot water or another liquid, because the hardened resin will not dissolve in cold water. It comes in 'crystals' and can be crushed into a powder to add to puddings.

mastic gum

  • 1 pint organic Vanilla Plant-based Ice Cream

  • 1/4 c. Orange Blossom water

  • 1/4 c. Rose water

  • 1 c. finely chopped Pistachios

  • 1/2 tsp. crushed Mastic gum

Crush the Mastic gum in a mortar and pestle till it becomes very fine (powdery).

Transfer ice cream to a bowl.  Add the flavored waters, mastic and 3/4 of the pistachios.

Mix well, but quickly so as not to melt the ice cream.

Transfer to a glass baking dish. Sprinkle remaining pistachios on top. Cover with wax paper and freeze for 2 hours or overnight.

You may cut into squares and store in a freezable container. 

Lentil Mash and Kale Salad

  • 4 Tbs. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

  • 1-1/2 c. organic White Onion, chopped

  • 1/4 c. organic California Basmati Rice

  • 1-1/2 c. hot Green Tea (or boiled Water)

  • 3 c. Sprouted Organic Lentils (or parboiled Regular Lentils)

  • 1 tsp. Pink Sea Salt (or to taste)

Cumin for garnish is optional.

Heat olive oil in a 1 quart pot over medium heat.  Add onions and sauté for 10 minutes stirring occasionally, until golden. Add tea or water and salt. Simmer on low for 5 minutes.

Add lentils and rice, cover and simmer for 20 minutes if using sprouted lentils (35 minutes if using regular lentils). Stir occasionally so bottom does not stick to pot.

You may need to add a little more water if it looks too dry.  The consistency should be like thick oatmeal. You may use the back of a large spoon to mash some of the lentils for a creamier texture.

Taste, and adjust salt. Sprinkle lightly with cumin if desired.

Accompany the lentils with my Kale salad.

Kale, Tomato and Parsley Salad

  • 3 c. organic Kale, chopped

  • 1 organic Tomato, diced

  • 2 organic Green Onions, chopped

  • 1 c. chopped organic Parsley

  • 1/4 c. chopped organic Mint

  • Juice of 2 Lemons

  • 1/2 tsp. Cumin

  • 3 Tbs. extra virgin Olive Oil

  • 1 tsp. Pink Sea Salt

Mix it all together.

Vidalia Onion Vegan Casserole

It's time to replace the old adage about "An Apple a Day" - with a new one - "An Onion a Day"

While it may not win you more friends, it will relieve inflammatory bowel conditions and boost immune function, break down certain cancer-causing compounds, reduce the body’s absorption of cholesterol, AND also fight fungus!

In Georgia, where

Vidalia onions are cultivated, the mortality rates from stomach cancer are about half the average for the United States. Also, the Chinese rank among the largest population of onion lovers, and guess what?  Their risk of getting stomach cancer is 40 percent lower than it is for people who shy away from them. So let's add onions to our recipes with generous abandon.

Roasted dinner

Tofu and Vidalia Onion Casserole

Preheat oven to 350ºF, 175ºC.

  • 16 oz. Firm organic Tofu, cubed

  • 1 Tbs. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

  • Cold-pressed organic Coconut Oil (to coat casserole)

  • 3 organic Sweet Potatoes, peeled and sliced 1/4"

  • 4 c. organic Vidalia Onions, chopped

  • 3 c. organic Portobello Mushrooms, sliced

  • 1 c. Almond Milk

  • 2 Tbs. Brown Rice Flour

  • 1 Tbs. Worcestershire Sauce

  • Sea Salt, Black Pepper, and Paprika, to taste

  • Dash of Cayenne, opt.

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Over medium heat, lightly sauté Tofu in oil and drain on paper towel.

Grease a 2-quart casserole with coconut oil.

Mix milk, rice flour, Worcestershire sauce together.

Layer sliced potatoes, onions, mushrooms. Top with milk mixture and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and paprika.

Bake at 350° for 20 minutes. Serve with whole grains, quinoa, or wild rice Pilaf (1/4 c. serving)

~ To Your Health!

♥

Pink Coconut-Banana Cream Squares with Chocolate Chips

Natural, vegetable-derived food coloring is thankfully now available, but using actual fruit and veggie juice is even better. I save the liquid after cooking beets for a pink dessert. Use strong flavors to mask the beet taste.

This treat is super simple and actually good for you.

Pink Coconut-Banana Cream Squares

  • 1 can Coconut Cream (not milk), refrigerated overnight

  • 1 organic Banana, mashed

  • 2 - 3 Tbs. liquid from boiling organic Beets

  • 2 Tbs. Psyllium Husk (don't skip this, if unavailable use freshly ground flax seeds)

  • 1 Tbs. Chicory Root Powder (or Coconut Palm Sugar)

  • 1-1/2 tsp. Orange Blossom Water (in ethnic section of market)

  • 1/2 c. Dark Chocolate Chips (or Carob chips for Vegan)

  • Blueberries and/or Raspberries for topping

Drain liquid from coconut cream. Place cream in mixer bowl and beat on medium speed until fluffy, about 6 - 7 minutes.

Add mashed banana, and the rest of the ingredients. Beat for 2 more minutes until well mixed. Stir in Chocolate chips.
Pour into round remekins or a rectangular glass dish. (I don't recommend using metal pans for this dessert.)

Top with berries and cover tightly. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Serve with more berries if desired.

Cheers! ♥

Dark Chocolate Black Bean Bars

  • 3/4 c. cold-pressed Coconut Oil

  • 5 oz. 85% organic Dark Chocolate, broken into pieces

  • 2 c. cooked organic Black Beans, drained

  • 3 Tbs. organic raw Cocoa Powder

  • 3 Tbs. Coconut Flakes (more to taste)

  • 1 c. organic Walnuts, roughly chopped

  • 1 pinch of Pink Sea Salt

  • 2 Free Range Eggs

  • 3 Tbs. freshly ground Golden Flax Seeds

  • 2/3 c. Birch Xylitol or 1 c. Chicory Root powder

Preheat the oven to 325°F and line an 11-inch square or 8 x 11 baking pan with parchment paper.

Melt the coconut oil on low heat in a medium size pan, add dark chocolate pieces. Stir around until the chocolate is completely melted.

Chocolate Black Bean Bars2

Chocolate Black Bean Bars

Put beans, cacao powder, coconut flakes and 1/2 cup of the walnuts in a blender or a food processor. Blend for one minute or until well chopped, then add the chocolate mixture and blend for one more minute, scraping down sides once.

Chocolate Black Bean Bars6

Chocolate Black Bean Bars6

In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs with an electric mixer for about 2 minutes, add the flax seeds and xylitol and beat for one more minute.

Save 1 tablespoon of egg mixture in a separate cup and pour the rest into the chocolate and bean mixture and process just until incorporated.

Add remaining walnuts and dark chocolate and stir gently with a spatula to blend.

Chocolate Black Bean Bars7

Chocolate Black Bean Bars7

Pour into the baking pan.

Drip the remaining egg mixture on top of the chocolate mixture and use a toothpick or a knife to create a marble effect.

Chocolate Black Bean Bars final

Bake for 25 - 30 minutes depending on size of pan. They might still feel a little soft in the middle when you test with a toothpick, but they will harden when they cool. These are decadently chocolaty!

You can spread a little no-sugar-added raspberry jam on top for variation.

~ Enjoy!  ♥

Roasted Vegetables with Tea Leaves

Roasted Rainbow Vegetables

8 Servings

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup chopped Red Cabbage

  • 1 cup coarsely chopped Onion

  • 3 Zucchini, cut in half lengthwise and sliced 3/4" thick

  • 3 Carrots, sliced 3/4" thick

  • 1/2 large Eggplant, cut in chunks

  • 1 c. Butternut Squash, cut in bite size pieces

  • 2 Sweet Potatoes, cut in bite size pieces

  • 7 - 8 cloves Garlic cloves, halved if large

  • 2 Tbs. Green Tea leaves (soaked)

  • 4 Tbs. Olive Oil

  • 1 1/2 tsp. Himalayan Sea Salt

  • 1/2 tsp. Black Pepper

  • 1 tsp. Caraway Seeds

  • 1/4 tsp. Cayenne Pepper

Pre-heat oven to 425ºF.

Combine veggies in a large bowl with tea leaves. Add Olive oil and toss to coat thoroughly.

Sprinkle with the spices. Toss again until evenly coated with the spices. Spoon onto 2 baking sheets lined with parchment paper and lightly sprayed with Coconut or Olive oil.

Roast for 20 minutes, then flip with spatula and continue to roast for another 10-15 minutes or until carrots are tender. Adjust seasoning, and serve hot.

Eggplant Caponata

In the Middle East, the Eggplant is referred to as the King of Vegetables due to its versatility and the large number recipes that feature this violet beauty.

Caponata is served cold as an appetizer.  Since it is versatile, I have heated it up and spooned it over hot millet or quinoa cooked in vegetable broth!

Recipe

Serves @ 10 as an appetizer

eggplant muchroom saute

  • 2 lbs. organic Eggplant, peeled and diced

  • 2 Tbs. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

  • 1 c. organic White Onion, small diced

  • ½ c. organic Bell Pepper, small diced

  • 2 Tbs. Garlic, finely chopped

  • 2 c. organic Tomatoes (peeled, seeded, and small diced)

  • ¼ c. organic Basil, fresh chopped

  • 2 Tbs. Sherry Vinegar

  • 1 Tbs. organic Lemon, squeezed

  • 1/8 tsp. Monk Fruit powder

  • 1 small Green Chili, minced (opt.)

  • ¼ c. Green Olives, chopped

  • 2 tsp. Black Pepper, coarsely ground

  • 1 Head of Green leaf Lettuce

Sauté diced eggplant in olive oil until lightly browned; removed from pan. In the same pan, sauté onions, bell peppers, tomatoes and garlic for 2 minutes (vegetables should still have some texture, and garlic should not brown). Mix everything else together in a large bowl with the cooked vegetables.

Refrigerate overnight.

Serve over a bed of lettuce and surround with toasted whole wheat pita bread triangles, or scoop onto whole wheat Tuscan bread.

capanota

~ Buon Apetito!

♥

Apples and Butternut Squash

Crock Pots are wonderful for easy, everything-in-one-pot meals. I love recipes that combine fruits and vegetables. 

Recipe

This recipe makes a lovely side dish to curries, grilled chicken or fish.

  • 1 Tbs. organic grass-fed, Ghee

  • 1/2 ts ground Ceylon Cinnamon

  • 1/4 tsp ground Nutmeg

  • 1 lb organic Butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 5 cups)

  • 2 large tart organic Apples, cored, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (4 cups)

  • 1/2 organic White Onions, chopped

  • 2 Tbs. pure Maple syrup

  • 1 Tbs. Balsamic vinegar

Combine spices in a small bowl, and set aside.

Put squash in Crock-pot. Add apples and onion. Sprinkle with spices and add maple syrup.  Stir to combine well.

Cover and cook on LOW for 6 - 7 hours, or until vegetables are tender.  Stir in butter and adjust seasoning just before serving.

~ En Guete! ♥

Zucchini Fudge Brownies

No one will ever guess these brownies are healthy! They are gooey and delicious.

Recipe

  • 1 c. organic Black beans, drained

  • 1 under-ripe Banana, cut into 5 pieces

  • 1/4 c. organic GF Oat or Buckwheat Flour

  • 1/4 cup organic Raw Cocoa powder

  • 1/4 c. organic Zucchini, shredded

  • 1-1/4 tsp. pure Vanilla Extract

  • 1/2 - 3/4 tsp. Cinnamon

  • 3/4 tsp. Baking Powder

  • 1/2 tsp. Baking Soda

  • 3 Tbs. Birch Xylitol or 1/4 tsp. Monk Fruit powder

  • 3 Tbs. pure Maple Syrup (opt)

  • 2 Tbs. brewed Green Tea or Water

  • Toasted Pecans (opt.)

Preheat oven to 375º F. Line an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper and set aside.

Place beans and banana in food processor and pulse until completely mashed.  Add the rest of the ingredients and process until combined, scraping often.

black bean brownies 4

black bean brownies 4

Pour batter into pan, spreading it evenly, and push pecan pieces into batter.

black bean brownies raw

black bean brownies raw

Place pan on middle rack of oven.

Bake for 22-27 minutes, or until edges curl away from paper. The brownies may seem a little gooey, but they harden as they cool. Place pan on a rack and wait 20 minutes before cutting into squares.

Dreaming of Minty Kabobs

Minty Lamb Kabobs

This recipe makes about 4 servings.

  • 1 Tbs. whole wheat Bulgur, rinsed (use quinoa for Gluten Free version)

  • 2 tsp. Coriander

  • 2 tsp. Cumin seeds

  • 3 whole Cloves

  • 3 green Cardamom pods

  • 6 black Peppercorns

  • 1/2 inch piece of fresh Ginger

  • 2 Garlic cloves

  • 2 Tbs. chopped fresh Mint

  • 1 small organic Onion, chopped

  • 14 oz. ground organic grass-fed Lamb

  • 1/2 tsp. Sea Salt

Dip

  • 1/2 c. plain Soy or Coconut Yogurt

  • 1 tsp. Lemon juice

  • 2 Tbs. chopped fresh Mint

  • 3-inch piece of organic Cucumber, grated

  • 1 tsp. Mango Chutney

Soak bulgur wheat in 1/4 c. of warm water for 5 minutes. Drain.

Preheat oven on Broil.

Heat skillet over medium heat, and dry-fry the coriander, cumin, cardamom pods, cloves and peppercorns, until they turn a shade darker and release a roasted aroma. Watch and stir often to avoid burning.

Grind the spices in coffee grinder, spice mill or with mortar and pestle.

Put ginger and garlic in food processor or blender and process to a puree.  Add the spices, bulgur, mint, onion, lamb, and salt and process until finely chopped. You may alternately do this by hand, chopping garlic and ginger.

minty lamb kabobs

Mold kabobs into small sausage shapes or  4 metal or pre-soaked wood skewers. Cook under broiler for 10 - 15 minutes, turning skewers occasionally.

To make dip, mix all ingredients together in a small bowl.

Serve kabobs with lime slices and the cucumber - yogurt dip. Garnish with mint leaves.

~ To Your Health! ♥

Turnover a New Chard Leaf?

My favorite Lebanese turnovers or pies are:  Spinach, Swiss Chard, Chickpea, and of course Zaatar (Thyme) Pies.

Make 1 recipe Basic Dough and let it rise for 90 minutes, or until about doubled.

In the meantime prepare Filling:

  • 1 bunch organic Swiss Chard, washed and 1 inch trimmed from stem

  • 2 c. organic Spinach, cleaned and chopped

  • 2 medium organic Onions, chopped

  • 2 1/2 tsp. Sea Salt

  • 2 Tbs. organic Lemon Juice

  • 2 Tbs. Sumac (found at Mediterranean markets)

  • 1 c. organic Walnuts, chopped

  • 1/2 c. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Stack 3 leaves of Chard and slice lengthwise into 3 - 4 pieces depending on width.

Chop and repeat with rest of leaves.

Place in a large bowl.  Add Spinach. Chop onions and add to greens.

Sprinkle Salt over mixture and using your hands mash all together squeezing the greens and onions until slightly wilted.

swiss chard mix

swiss chard mix

Add lemon juice, sumac, walnuts and olive oil, and mix well. Taste and adjust seasoning.

Tilt bowl so liquid will drain taway from filling by propping with a cloth under one end.

Preheat oven to 400ºF.

Lightly grease a baking sheet with olive oil.

When dough is ready, roll into balls the size of walnuts, dipping the bottoms in flour and putting aside.

dough balls

dough balls

Sprinkle flour on your board or countertop, and roll each ball into a 3.5” thin round using a little flour if sticky.

flat dough

flat dough

Place 2 Tbs. of filling in center of round. Make sure liquid is squeezed out.

chard turnover1

Have a small bowl of water nearby.  Dip your finger into water and rub around perimeter of dough round to wet. Fold 1/3 dough over filling, sealing top tip securely by pressing.

chard turnover2

Fold other 1/3 overlapping the first and press to seal all along overlapped edge.

chard turnover3

Bring bottom 1/3 up and press along seams and tips to seal well.

chard turnover4

chard turnovers

chard turnovers

Place on baking sheet, repeating until all dough it used up. 

P.S. If you are left with any dough balls, allow to rise for 10 more minutes, and pop in the oven to make into Pita bread!

Bake turnovers for 15 minutes or until bottoms are golden brown.

chard turnovers baked

Cool to room temperature.  Enjoy warm or cold.

~ Sahtein (double health!) ♥

Authentic Arabic Bread - Basic Dough

Whenever we make dough for Zaatar pies, we save some to make Arabic (pita) bread. This is a Basic Dough recipe which is used to make Spinach, Meat and other hand-shaped small pies, as well as bread.  The dough is rolled thinner than for pita rounds, and is folded and sealed around a variety of fillings. This bread is present at almost every Lebanese meal. Another variety of Arabic bread that I love is rolled paper-thin and cooked on the top of a domed outdoor oven.  It is called 'marqooq', and is like lavash but much thinner. It can be found at Middle Eastern or Persian markets.

saaj oven

It's ideal for rolled sandwiches and making pin wheel appetizers, but since the dough is thin you need to use fillings that are not very wet, so the bread doesn't become soggy.

Making saaj bread

Traditionally, Arabic bread loaves are 10-11" round, but you can make them smaller, like the popular store-bought pita.

I use my larger Cuisinart to mix the dough, and then knead it 5 minutes by hand, or sometimes I let my KitchenAid mixer do all the work.  I leave that up to you.

Depending on the size of rounds you decide to make, this recipe will yield anywhere from 12 - 16 loaves.

Recipe

  • 4 c. organic all-purpose Flour

  • 2 c. organic Barley Flour

  • 1 1/2 tsp. Sea Salt

  • 2 packets (4 tsp.) dry Yeast

  • 1/2 tsp. organic Evaporated Cane Sugar

  • 2  to 2-1/4 c. tepid Water

  • 3 Tbs. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Sift flour and salt. Dissolve yeast and sugar in water, and proof for 5 minutes.

Fit mixer with dough hook, or Cuisinart with dough paddle. Put flour in mixer bowl and add water and yeast mixture. Process until smooth.

Remove dough and place on floured board.  Knead for 5 minutes.  Dough should be soft but not very sticky.  Add a little more flour or water depending on consistency.

Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with damp cloth and let rise until doubled, about 1-1/2 hours.

Divide dough into 4 equal portions, and divide each of those into 3 -4 balls depending on size preference. Cover balls with towel and let rest another 15 minutes.

Heat oven to 425º F, turn a cookie sheet upside down and place it on the middle rack of the oven while you are preheating the oven.  You will bake the bread on this surface (if you have a pizza stone then you can use that instead.)

Dust your work surface with a light coating of flour.  Slightly flatten one of the balls of dough with your hands and sprinkle a bit of flour on top.

rolling_pin_and_dough

Roll the dough out to between 1/8 and 1/4 " thick. If the dough does not stretch easily cover it with the damp towel and let it rest 5 to 10 minutes before trying again.

Repeat with rest of dough.

Place as many pitas as you can fit on the hot baking sheet surface. They should be baked through and puffy after 3-4 minutes.

pitabake2

Remove onto cooling rack with dough paddle, or large spatula.

Store bread in airtight bag. Will keep for 2 days at room temperature, or in refrigerator for 5-6 days.

~ Sahtein! (double health). ♥

Tart Cherries Invade Unsuspecting Brown Rice!

A lovely blend of flavors, fit for a luncheon served with a grilled fish or lime glazed chicken breast. Keep some tart dried Cherries around for this impromptu dish.  In a pinch you may substitute dried Cranberries.

You may cook the Gaba rice in advance (like early morning) since it takes about 35 - 40 minutes, and leave pot out until you're ready to make the Pilaf. I always have pine nuts in my freezer for immediate availability.

Recipe

Serves 8

  • 1 c.  chopped organic Green onion
  • 2 c.  chopped organic Celery
  • 1/2 c.  dried, Tart organic Cherries
  • 1/2 c. Pine Nuts
  • 1 Tbs. chopped fresh organic Thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • 1/2 tsp.  ground Black pepper
  • 1 Tbs. Coconut Oil (or Virgin Olive Oil)
  • 2 c. cooked brown Gaba rice (may use Wild Rice)

Put onion, celery, cherries, nuts, thyme, pepper and oil in a large skillet.

Cook, uncovered, over medium heat 10 minutes, or until vegetables are tender; stir occasionally. Add rice; mix well.

Cook 3 to 4 minutes, or until thoroughly heated.

That's it, simple and scrumptious!

~ Enjoy! ♥

Chia Chocolate Cupcakes - GF & Vegan

For extra goodness: Melt 10 oz. 75 - 80% dark chocolate in a double boiler, add 1 Tbs. almond or coconut milk and 1 packet Stevia. Stir well and smear on the cupcakes as they reach room temperature.

Recipe

  • 3/4 rounded c. Sorghum flour

  • 3/4 rounded c. Potato starch or tapioca starch

  • 1/2 c. unsweetened raw Cocoa Powder

  • 1/4 c. Chia seeds

  • 1 Tbs. ground Flax seeds

  • 3/4 c. Birch Xylitol (or 3 packets pure Stevia)

  • 1/2 tsp. Sea Salt

  • 1 tsp. Psyllium Husk Powder

  • 1 tsp. Baking Powder

  • 1 tsp. Baking Soda

  • 1 Pasture-Raised Egg (or 2 Tbs. freshly ground Flaxseed for Vegan)

  • 3 Tbs. virgin Olive Oil

  • 2 tsp. Vanilla

  • 1/2 tsp. Distilled Vinegar

  • 1 c. warm Water, Green Tea or Decaf Coffee

Line a 12-c. cupcake pan with paper or silicon liners. Preheat oven to 350º F.

Whisk together the dry ingredients.

Add in the warm water (or tea or coffee), egg, chia seeds, oil, vanilla, and vinegar and beat until smooth. Beat for 2-3 minutes.

Scoop the batter into the 12 lined muffin tin cups.

Bake for about 15-20 minutes, until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Remove the cupcakes to a wire rack and let cool completely.

~To Your Health! ♥

 

Wrap It - à la Mediterranean

They're easy to transport, easy to make, inspire creativity, and are fun to eat... I'm talking about Wraps. 

This wrap integrates a North African ingredient with a tasty hummus.

Mediterranean Veggie Wrap

 Yield - 8 wraps

  • 1 cup uncooked whole wheat Couscous (or gluten free grain of choice)

  • 1/2 c. chopped Almonds, toasted

  • 1/2 c. golden Raisins

  • 3 c. BBQ'd Tofu, diced

  • 2 c. shredded organic Romaine Lettuce

  • 2 Tbs. diced organic Red Onion

  • 1/4 . extra virgin organic Olive Oil

  • 1/4 c. organic Lemon Juice

  • 1/2 tsp. Cumin

  • 2 Tbs. chopped organic Parsley

  • 1 tsp. grated Lemon peel

  • Salt and pepper, to taste

  • 8 GF organic Corn Tortillas or 4 whole wheat Pita Bread, split into 8 rounds

  • 1 c. homemade Hummus

  • 1 organic English Cucumber, cut into thin 4” long sticks

Cook couscous according to package directions.

In a medium bowl, gently combine couscous, almonds, raisins, tofu, lettuce and onion.

In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, parsley, cumin and lemon peel. Season with salt and pepper.  Mix 1/4 cup dressing into couscous mixture.

To assemble wraps, lay bread split side up on work surface. Spread each with 2 tablespoons hummus. Spoon approximately 1/2 cup couscous mixture down center of each pita round. Add cucumbers. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon dressing.  Fold up bottom and then sides to wrap.

~ Double Health! ♥