Tag Archives: onions

Egg Pots- Survival Food

12 Wednesday Mar 2014

Posted by in breakfast, dinner, gluten-free, lunch, Side dish

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DSCN3730Love:

Well it is safe to say that February kicked my behind! Nothing more than the ordinary person, but it didn’t leave me much time for anything but work and my family. In order for me to take care of what needed the most attention my blogging had to take a backseat, I know you all understand and I bet you’ve even been there yourself. BUT, I am happy to report that during this hectic time I was able to make sure we ate well and I am excited to share the recipe I made the most during this stressful time.

These little egg pots can be eaten anytime of day and can be made with whatever veggies you have on hand, they are best enjoyed warm but can be made ahead and reheated. Since I don’t eat much meat, eggs are a great protein source for me. I buy local eggs at the farmers market and enjoy them hard-boiled, poached, scrambled and like this in these egg pots. My husband likes his egg pots with a side of sourdough toast slathered with ghee, I like mine with a side of avocado toast. It is nice to have a few recipes that can keep you nourished on the inside when everything on the outside is going haywire. This is an everyday recipe that is quick and healthy. ENJOY!

Food:

Egg Pots- Survival Food serves 2

Note: This isn’t an exact recipe other than the eggs, just use your instincts and if you make too much filling save it and serve it over brown rice with a poached egg or a quesadilla for your little stinkers.

DSCN37114 local eggs

8-10 stalks of asparagus, trimmed and chopped (you could sub with broccoli)

1 c. Brussels sprouts, chopped (you could sub kale)

8-10 medium shiitake mushrooms, chopped

1/2 small onion, chopped

1 tsp. Toum (you can use fresh chopped garlic)

ghee

salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Pre heat oven to 375 degrees. Place a small amount of ghee in 4 ramekins and distribute it evenly, place the oiled ramekins into a medium casserole dish that will be able to hold water.

2. Melt about 2 tsp. of ghee in a medium saute pan, add the onion, asparagus, Brussels sprouts and mushrooms, season with salt and pepper. Saute until the asparagus is bright green, add the Toum or garlic until the scent of garlic fills the kitchen. No need to over cook the veggies since they’ll be going into oven.

3. Place two heaping spoonfuls of the veggies in each ramekin, next crack an egg crack over each ramekin. Season each egg with a little bit of salt and pepper.

DSCN3715DSCN37194. Heat a teapot/kettle until hot, pour hot water into the casserole dish until the water is 3/4 up the sides of the ramekins. Carefully place the casserole dish with the water and ramekins into the oven and bake 20-25 minutes.

DSCN37225. Let the pots cool just a bit and then remove them from the hot water, serve with buttered or avocado toast, EAT!

Nutrition:

Asparagus- Asparagus is an excellent source of potassium, vitamin K, folic acid, vitamins A&C. It is also a very good source of dietary fiber, niacin, phosphorus, protein and iron!

Shiitakes- These little nutrient dense morsels have long been a symbol of longevity in Asia because of its health-promoting properties. Shiitakes contain an active compound called lentinan. Lentinan has the power to boost the immune system  and strengthen its ability to fight infection and disease. It has also been shown to have anti-cancer activity.

Eggs- Choosing local, organic free range eggs means you are ensuring that what you are consuming is free of harmful antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Free range chickens feed on seeds and insect and sometimes flax seeds or special meal enriched with DHA which increases the omega-3 content of their eggs.

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Broccoli Chop Salad- Take Two

16 Thursday Jan 2014

Posted by in appetizer, gluten-free, salad, Snack

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DSCN3663Food:

Broccoli Chop Salad serves 8

1lb broccoli florets

1lb romanesco, chopped

16oz bag of shelled edamame/ or peas

2 c. celery, chopped

2 green apples, chopped (farmers market)

1 c. tart dried cherries (farmers market)

1/4 large purple onion, chopped (farmers market)

1 c. cilantro/parsley/mint (you decide) leaves, lightly packed

1 c. sunflower seeds, shelled

Dressing:

1 c. goat yogurt (farmers market, you could sub with veganaise or your favorite yogurt)

1/4 c. rice vinegar

1-2 T. pure maple syrup

salt and pepper

*optional- Stilton Blue Cheese (this is a great addition if you are making this salad for a party or get together, no one minds eating all these veggies when cheese is involved!)

DSCN3649Directions:

1. Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil, also place a large bowl of water and ice in the sink to blanch the veggies. When the water comes to a boil drop the broccoli and romanesco into the water for about two minutes or just until their color brightens. Ladle the veggies out of the boiling water and plunge them into the cold ice bath. Drain veggies, set them aside and prepare another ice bath for the edamame, cook edamame according to the directions on the package. Then plunge them into an ice bath. Drain and set aside.

DSCN3652DSCN3654DSCN36552. In a large bowl mix the dressing ingredients, taste and season with salt and pepper. Add in the onions, apples, cherries and celery. Then add the blanched broccoli, romanesco and edamame, toss to coat. Lightly fold in the cilantro.

3. Toast the sunflowers seed in a dry saute pan until fragrant and slightly toasted. Toss them over the salad. EAT!

Nutrition:

Broccoli/romanesco- Broccoli is one of the most nutrient dense foods and is super low in calories! It is especially rich in vitamin C and 1 cup has about the same amount of protein as a cup of corn or rice but less than on third amount of calories. Broccoli is also a good source of vitamins K, C and A, as well as folic acid and fiber. It also contains phytochemicals with tremendous anticancer effects.

Apples- Apples are very high in pectin, a soluble fiber that has been shown to exert many beneficial effects. Because of its gel-forming fiber, pectin can lower cholesterol levels as well as improve the intestinal muscle’s ability to push waste through the gastrointestinal tract. Basically apples will help you poop like a rockstar!

Sunflower seeds- Studies have shown that the American diet is deficient of vital nutrients such as selenium which can be found in sunflower seeds. This particular mineral has anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and antialler-genic properties. Sunflower seeds are also a wonderful source of protein, vitamin E, magnesium, vitamins B1,5 and 6, phosphorus, copper, iron, folic acid and fiber.

(Above nutrition tid bits came from The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods)

Love:

This recipe is an oldie but a goodie, I posted the original version almost 4 years ago! I can’t speak for all bloggers but sometimes it’s good to go back and revisit some of your old recipes and update them. I start to crave this recipe during this time of year because I am looking for a little crunch in my diet. After indulging in all the wonder slow cooked foods from the holidays this girl needs some fresh flavors and I just love the color and textures of this salad! I also love it with a little good quality blue cheese such as Stilton, but if you are trying to clean up your diet after the holidays just leave it out. If you want another fresh crunchy seasonal salad check this one out from last year. I hope these recipe finds you happy and healthy in this new year. ENJOY!

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Miso Roasted Broccoli and Potato Soup

19 Thursday Dec 2013

Posted by in gluten-free, soup, vegan

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DSCN3596Food:

Miso Roasted Broccoli and Potato Soup serves 4-6

1 1/2 lb broccoli florets, cut from the thick stem

1 lb russet potato, peeled and cubed

1 large yellow onion, chopped

2 large garlic cloves, chopped

1/4 c. miso (I use an organic chickpea miso)

2 T. olive oil, coconut oil or ghee

1 lemon, juice and zest

4 c. veggie broth

Real,Himalayan or Celtic salt and pepper

olive oil, coconut oil or ghee for sautéing

*optional- 4-6oz cubed local/organic sharp cheddar

DSCN3585Directions:

1. Roast the broccoli- pre heat oven to 375 degrees, in a large bowl whisk together the miso, 2 T. olive oil, juice from lemon and a little pepper. Toss and coat the broccoli florets in the miso mixture and place them on a parchment lined baking sheet (I place a rack over my baking sheet but this isn’t vital step). Place in the oven and roast for 20 min.

DSCN3588DSCN35902. While the broccoli is roasting, start sautéing the onions in your favorite soup pot in a little oil of choice over medium heat until softened and fragrant. Next add the garlic and cook for just a few minutes. Stir frequently. Season with just a pinch of salt and pepper.

3. When the broccoli is done take it out of the oven and set aside to cool. Next add the potatoes and veggie broth to the pot with the onions and garlic, simmer for 20 minutes or until potatoes are knife tender.

DSCN35934. When the potatoes are tender roughly chop the broccoli and add it to the soup pot. Heat through, add lemon zest and serve, top with cheese if you so desire. EAT!

Side notes: I have had this soup chunky and pureed, it is good both ways. Also, after Thanksgiving I had some leftover garlic mashed potatoes I added to a batch of this soup- delicious, and the extra garlic was an added bonus since I was under the weather.

Nutrition:

Broccoli- Want something high in Vitamin C but don’t feel like eating fruit? Broccoli is very high in Vitamin C, making 1 cup of chopped broccoli the Vitamin C equivalent of an orange. One cup of raw chopped broccoli will give you your entire daily needed intake.  Broccoli is also very high in Vitamin A. Vitamin A helps fight cancer within your cells, as well as keep your eyes healthy and stave off glaucoma and other eye degenerative diseases. It also helps to promote healthy skin, break down urinary stones (a big issue with the summer heat and dehydration) and maintain healthy bones and teeth. Perfect when you are sick! (Borrowed from MINDBODYGREEN)

Miso- B-12 is one of the vitamins most commonly deficient in the diets of those vegetarians who exclude dairy products as well as meat from their diet. Recent research, however, has shown that there are a number of excellent vegetarian sources of vitamin B-12 including fermented soyfoods (tempeh, natto, miso, shoyu) and sea vegetables. Vitamin B-12 is produced by certain bacteria or molds. (Borrowed from Tradition Miso)
Russet Potatoes- The fiber and protein in potatoes will help to fill you up so you eat fewer calories. Fiber may also help lower your risk for constipation, heart disease and diabetes. Vitamins like B-6, niacin, folate, thiamine and riboflavin are B vitamins, which turn the food you eat into energy, help your nervous system function properly and keep your hair, skin, eyes and liver healthy. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant and is important for growing new tissues and repairing wounds. Minerals in potatoes like iron is essential for forming red blood cells and transporting oxygen around your body, and magnesium is needed for heart, nerve and immune system function.
Love:
I was craving a flavorful creamy broccoli soup that wasn’t full of dairy, I have nothing against dairy but this time of year I try to balance my intake of decadent indulges like dairy. Call it a 90/10 rule, 90% clean eating and 10% whatever my little heart desires. There are too many fabulous get togethers, parties and family meals to be perfect, even if I have to be in a bikini in February! This soup is a clean eat, full flavored, vegan and gluten-free. It came in very handy a week ago when I got really sick and if you read my side note above this was the batch I pureed and added the leftover garlic mashed potatoes too, the extra garlic provided much-needed defense for my cold. We need a few easy, clean recipes this time of year to sneak into our families and friends in between the decadent ones. I hope all of you are surviving this holiday season. ENJOY!
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Farro and Eggs

08 Friday Nov 2013

Posted by in gluten-free, Side dish

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Love:

This time of year when the days are shorter and getting colder all I want to do is cuddle on the couch with my sweetie and our fury children with a bowl of comfort, this Farro and Eggs is perfect for that. This is a one pot dish that can be eaten anytime of the day and requires minimal ingredients but is big on flavor. With the holidays just around the corner we all need a few dishes up our sleeves that are easy to throw together and will please just about anyone. I don’t know about you but we will be busting at the seams in December with guests and I can’t wait to dazzle my friends and family with this one, ENJOY!

Food:

Farro and Eggs– serves 4 as a side, 2 as a hearty main

1/2-1 c. water (it depends on how much liquid is in your tomato jar)

1 cup semi-pearled farro (I find my farro at Caputo’s Market) (if you have time I suggest you soak your farro for 1-4 hours)

1/2-1 large onion, sliced in half and then in half-moon slices (I used a whole onion)

2 cloves garlic, sliced

1 quart size jar of canned tomatoes (I used home canned, you can use any you like)

1 1/4 teaspoons kosher or coarse sea salt

1 tsp. fennel blossom (Caputo’s Market, this is optional)

Up to 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (to taste)

1 tablespoon olive oil, plus extra for drizzling

Few basil leaves or fresh parsley, chopped

4 organic eggs (I love Clifford eggs)

Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

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Directions:

1. Drain farro and rinse. Place your favorite pot on the stove, add farro, tomatoes, onions, garlic, 1 T. olive oil and spices and 1/2c. water. Turn heat on and bring to a boil, when the pot begins to boil turn heat down to medium low and let it simmer away stirring a few times. Set the timer for 25 min.

2. When the timer goes off check the liquid, if you think it needs more add another 1/2c., next crack the eggs on top of the farro and season just a bit with salt and pepper. Place the lid on the pot and let  it all cook another 5 min or until the whites off the eggs are set and the yolk still look sunny side up! If you don’t like runny yolks cook for another few minutes until they are set.

3. Pull the pot off the heat and garnish with fresh herbs and extra olive oil, serve IMMEDIATELY!

Kindly adapted from Smitten Kitchen who adapted it from Martha Stewart

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Nutrition:

Farro- Farro is essentially a form of Spelt. Spelt’s cultivation is thought to have begun sometime during the mid- to late Neolithic (Stone Age), 6000 to 5000 B.C.E. an area that spans parts of modern Iraq, Iran and Jordan, making this one of the earliest crops grown in the Western World! Farro is an Italian staple grain, so when buying look for Farro but know spelt can be used in its place (but not in this recipe). The texture will be different. Farro is not labeled ‘organic’ but historically has been known to have not been sprayed due to the fact that it will not survive if treated with harmful sprays. Farro/Spelt is an excellent source of complex carbohydrates, complete protein and fiber. Spelt is a good alternative for those allergic to wheat. The gluten found in Spelt is more fragile than that found in wheat, so it is more easily digested.

Why should we soak and sprout our grains?

Grains contain phytic acid, phytic acid is a substance in grains that inhibits absorption of minerals. By soaking grains phytic acid will be reduced and the minerals in the grains will be unlocked so that you can benefit from them, making the more digestible and making the vitamins and minerals more available for the body to utilize. Sprouting also neutralizes enzyme inhibitors present in all seeds. These inhibitors can neutralize our own precious enzymes in the digestive tract. Complex sugars responsible for intestinal gas are broken down during sprouting, and a potion of the starch in grain is transformed into sugar. Finally, numerous enzymes that help digestion are produced during the germination process.

 

Curried Kabocha Squash- Eat Local Challenge

11 Friday Oct 2013

Posted by in gluten-free, seasonal, Side dish

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Food:

Curried Kabocha Squash serves 6-8

Inspired by Nourishing Traditions

4 T. butter (local, Liberty Heights Fresh)

2 lbs. kabocha squash, peeled seeds removed (optional) and chopped into 1 inch pieces (farmers market)

1 large purple onion, chopped (farmers market)

1 large yellow bell pepper, chopped or minced (farmers market)

2 c. carrots, sliced (farmers market)

1-2 c. tomatoes, sliced in half (my garden)

1 chili pepper, stemmed & seeds removed (farmers market)

2 T. each ginger and garlic, minced (farmers market)

2 T. turmeric, grated (not local, I find mine at the ethnic market)

real salt

1 c. homemade veggie stock

1 1/2 c. Drake Family Farm Goat Yogurt

1 bunch cilantro, chopped (farmers market)

6-8 scallions, chopped for garnish (farmers market)

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Directions:

1. Start by melting the butter over medium heat in your favorite pot. Add the onions and some salt, saute until softened (about 8-15 min).

DSCN34182. Next add the kabocha, carrots, tomatoes, bell peppers, chili pepper, ginger, garlic, turmeric and a little bit of real salt. Mix well, then add the veggie stock and goat yogurt. Bring to a boil then turn down to a simmer until tender, about 30-45 min.

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3. When the squash if fork tender pull your pot off the heat and mix in cilantro and garnish with scallions. EAT!

To Serve: If you are staying true to the Eat Local Challenge serve the Curried Kabocha over sautéed greens. If not, serve over grain of choice, I like millet. Top with a dollop of yogurt!

Nutrition:

Squash- Winter squash provides carotenoids and vitamin C plus potassium and fiber, it is also higher nutritionally than summer squash. Winter squash and other deep orange veggies are especially effective in preventing lung cancer. American Indians valued the seeds of both squash and pumpkins for various aliments, but the pulp also has pharmacological properties, notably anticancer carotenoids. (Nourishing Traditions)

Love:

Kabocha squash is by far my favorite winter squash, I love their bright orange flesh and creamy texture not to mention it is so versatile. Every year at this time I stock up on them at the farmers market, if you store them in a dry cool place they will last all winter. This was the perfect one pot dish for dinner all week during the Eat Local Challenge Week if you are staying true to the challenge omit the turmeric. It is warm, comforting and easy to reheat after a long day at work and gets better over time. ENJOY!

EASY End of Summer Salsa

11 Wednesday Sep 2013

Posted by in appetizer, dips, DIY, gluten-free, seasonal, Side dish, Snack, vegan

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Food:

Easy Summer Salsa

(measurements are adjustable and not exact, trust yourself!)

1 large pint of your favorite local cherry tomatoes (I used purple cherry tomatoes from Kenyon Organics)

1/2 large onion (Farmers Market)

1 small green pepper, you could also use a jalapeno or your favorite chile (Farmers Market)

garlic (Farmers Market)

handful of cilantro (Farmers Market)

lime

Celtic salt

DSCN3254Directions:

1. You will need your food processor or blender. Cut the onion in half, peel it and chop into large pieces, add to the processor. Save the other half of the onion for another recipe. Cut the pepper or chile in half, remove seeds and cut into pieces, add to the processor. Smash and peel the garlic and add it to the processor with a large pinch of gray/Celtic salt. Pulse to break down the pieces.

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2. Next cut the cherry tomatoes in half and add then to the food processor, add the cilantro and squeeze in the lime juice. Pulse everything together until you get the desired consistency. I like mine chopped pretty fine but not completely liquid. Use your judgement and no need to worry about messing this recipe up. Taste it, does it need more salt? lime? you decide. If it is to spicy add a teaspoon of honey. Feel free to add any spices you may like.

3. You can spoon the salsa into your favorite class container and refrigerate or grab a bag of chips and start ENJOYING!

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Love:

If you give me a choice between a cookie or chips and salsa, guess which one wins? CHIPS and SALSA of course! I love salty spicy treats.

This salsa has saved my behind more than once when I have been invited to a last-minute get together and all I have to do is walk out to the garden or use what is hanging around from the farmers market. It is ridiculously easy to throw together!

I hate to call this “End of Summer Salsa” but it’s been so hot here in Salt Lake that the tomatoes are just about done in my garden. This change of season is so bitter-sweet, we suffered through an outrageously snowy winter, a short spring and a sweltering hot summer. I will miss the long nights, backyard hangouts, rained out summer weddings, early mornings at the farmers market and swinging in my hammock. Most of all I will miss the fresh local produce overflowing on my kitchen counter. I am doing everything I can to soak up the last of those summer flavors before I move on to new ones, this salsa is pure summer in a jar. Oh I’ll make salsa in the winter with my canned tomatoes but it just isn’t the same, so hurry up and whip a batch of this “End of Summer Salsa” and don’t forget the close your eyes and play back all your summer adventures with each bite. Long live summer.

Baked Ratatouille

30 Friday Aug 2013

Posted by in breakfast, gluten-free, seasonal, Side dish, vegan

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Food:

Baked Ratatouille serves 8-10

2-3 zucchini, cut into 1/2 inch chunks (gifted)

4-6 baby red potatoes, cut in quarters (Farmers Market)

6-8 baby japanese eggplant, cut into 1/2 inch chunks (gifted)

a head of garlic, chopped, if cloves are big use about 4-6 (gifted)

4-6 shallots, chopped (gifted)

a couple of chilies, your choice, chopped (I used three Thai chilies from the Farmers Market, chilies are optional)

a medium size container of your favorite cherry tomatoes, cut in half (Kenyon Organics)

2 T. olive oil

2 T. ghee, you can use regular butter or coconut oil

salt and pepper

a couple of sprigs of fresh thyme (my garden)

a couple of sprigs of fresh rosemary (my garden)

parsley, chopped (my garden)

Parmesan cheese, optional (Caputo’s Market)

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Directions:

1. Pre heat the oven to 400 degrees.

2. Place all the chopped veggies in a your favorite baking dish. I used my big yellow one that is really deep, when I made my Gluten-free Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler it held 15 cups of fruit! So used a big baking dish.

3. Toss the veggies and season with salt and pepper. Next drizzle the olive oil over the veggies and toss again. Lastly, dollop the ghee on top of the veggies and place the thyme and rosemary on top as well.

4. Cover with foil and bake for 45 min. After that 45 minutes remove the foil toss the veggies around and bake for another 45 minutes. I know it is done when the juice from the veggies is almost covering the veggie mixture.

5. Remove from oven and let it cool just a bit and top with chopped fresh parsley and fresh grated Parmesan cheese. EAT!

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This is how we enjoyed our Baked Ratatouille…

DSCN3187The day I made the Baked Ratatouille we had it for dinner with Wild King Salmon, super delish.

DSCN3190 The next morning we had the baked Ratatouille for breakfast with poached Clifford Farm eggs and Crumb Brothers sourdough bread slathered with Amour Spreads heirloom tomato jam. Holy crap this was good!

Love:

This time of year is usually a little bitter-sweet for me, I’m completely exhausted from all of our summer fun but this is when we have the most abundance of fresh food available. Part of me wants to start easing into the laziness of fall but the beautiful summer produce reminds me to enjoy every last morsel it has to offer. So was the case last weekend, we had just got back from our annual camping trip with our friends and I was feeling under the weather but I had just been gifted a huge box of veggies from my friend Dean’s garden. Instead of spending all day in the kitchen I decided to through this dish together and let the oven do the work for me. Voila, the best of both worlds, a little laziness with a side of summer. The bonus is we got to enjoy this dish for a few other meals which comes in handy when you need a little break. Long live summer. ENJOY!

Radish Top Soup w/ Lemon

08 Monday Apr 2013

Posted by in gluten-free, seasonal, soup, vegan

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DSCN2849Love:

When I was working on my last post I was surprised I hadn’t posted a recipe using radishes! When I was a kid I ate them straight up with just a sprinkling of salt. As an adult I have ventured out and braised them (delish), smeared them with butter and a sprinkling of salt and now this recipe, Radish Top Soup w/ Lemon. I was delighted to find this recipe in my new book ‘Vegetable Literacy’ by Deborah Madison (lovingly given to me by my friend Kim). Do to all the rain we are having this recipe is the perfect spring soup, it is light and has a bright flavor perfect for this time of year. This is also the perfect time to plant radishes in your garden if you haven’t all ready. Now you will have a reason to save those tops and make this soup. I served this wonderful soup along side baked Sea Bass over wilted Arugula. Enjoy!

DSCN2855Food:

Radish Top Soup w/ Lemon serves 6

4-8 cups radish tops (I used the tops off two bunches of radishes)

1 T. butter or olive oil (I used ghee)

1 onion sliced (I used half a large yellow onion and one large leek)

1 large russet potato (about 1lb.) scrubbed, thinly sliced

salt and pepper

4 c. water or chicken stock (I used homemade veggie stock)

1/4 c. parsley (not in recipe but I added it just at the end for color and bright flavor)

-Finishing Touches-

juice of lemon

salt and pepper

yogurt

few tablespoons thinly julienned radishes

Direction:

1. Sort through the radish tops, tearing off and discarding any thick stems that don’t have much leafy material and discarding any leaves that are less than vibrant.

2. Melt butter in a wide soup pot over medium heat. Add onion slices, lay the potato slices over (I salted and peppered just a bit) them and cook several minutes without disturbing them while the pan warms up. Then give the onion and potato slices a stir, cover the pan and cook over low heat for 10-15 minutes, giving the vegetables an occasional shove around the pan. The pan should take on a nice brown glaze from the onions. Add two teaspoons salt and liquid of choice and bring to a boil, scraping the pan to dislodge any of the glaze.

3. Lower the heat to a simmer, cover and cook until potatoes are tender and falling apart, about 15 min. Add radish greens (I sautéed my radish greens in 1 teaspoon of ghee and 1 teaspoon of Toum a garlic condiment, salt and pepper just a bit, then didn’t add them until it was time to puree) to the pot and cook long enough for them to wilt and go from bright to darker green, which takes just a few minutes.

4. Let the soup cool slightly, then puree it, greens and all (this is when  I added the sautéed radish tops, juice of one lemon and 1/4 c. parsley) leaving it a bit rough if you like some texture or making it smooth if you prefer, then return soup to the pot. Check for seasoning. Ladle soup into bowls and stir in a spoonful of yogurt into each bowl (I didn’t do this). Scatter the julienned radishes over the top. (I added a drizzle of olive oil to finish.)

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Nutrition:

Radish Greens- Radish leaves contain almost six times the vitamin C of the root and are also a good source of vitamins. In India the greens are used for vitamin C deficiency, a diuretic, a as expectorant, to treat gastric discomfort and as a laxative. Read more about radishes in my last post, The Best Bang for your Bite- Spring Edition.

Hummus Bruschetta- A Quick Eat and Food for Thought

07 Thursday Mar 2013

Posted by in appetizer, beans, Snack

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Love:

I had a conversation last week that really has me thinking about comparisons. Comparing ourselves to others, comparing our current selves to our past or future selves, comparing our friends with one another, etc. This all started when a client compared how I currently spend my time devoted to food now as a married woman without children versus how I would spend my time (or lack thereof) if I were to have a child in the future.

I was raised in a household with two parents who loved to cook, but they both had full-time jobs, so during the week we ate dinners that were quick and easy to throw together and on the weekend they had more time to play in the kitchen. I have a very busy life myself and my week’s closely reflect the same type of time that my parents had to devout to preparing meals. The hope is that I will be able to do the same if and when I have a family because I make sure that eating healthy is a priority in my life. If you develop healthy eating habits and routines it will become an automatic practice in your life no matter how much time you have.

This recipe is an example of needing to get something on the table during the week when I am busy. Lucky for me I had all of these ingredients but the bread, and lucky for me I was at Harmon’s when my friend Moudi gave me the idea for this dinner. Some of the best dinners are quick and easy to throw together with a little help from your friends. Do what feels best to you, no need to compare. Enjoy!

Food:

Hummus Bruschetta serves 2

Harmon’s Sourdough Bread, sliced and toasted (4 slices)

Laziz Hummus (Harmon’s, Liberty Heights Fresh)

1 onion, sautéed slowly in a little ghee until caramelized, season with salt and pepper

2 handfuls arugula, I throw this in with the onions at the end and the residual heat wilt them

Sunbridge Sunflower Sprouts (Whole Foods, Good Earth)

sliced avocado (optional)

your favorite balsamic vinegar, we have some we brought back from Italy that is thick and syrupy

Assemble:

1. Slather the toasted bread with hummus, lay avocado slices (if using) on top of hummus

2. Divide the onion and arugula mixture among the hummus slathered bread

3. Top with sunflower sprouts and drizzle with balsamic vinegar

4. EAT!

Nutrition:

What we think is just as important as what we eat- Food for Thought

1. Be impeccable with you word, 2. Don’t take anything personally, 3. Don’t make assumptions, 4. Always do your best (Thank you Don Miguel Ruiz)

“Comparison Is The Thief Of Joy” Theodore Roosevelt (Thank you Joslyn for posting this, Billy and I loved it)

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New Mexico Green Chili Pork Stew

25 Monday Feb 2013

Posted by in seasonal, soup, vegan

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I know this is a stark contrast from my last two blog post, but I have to say that this recipe is one I just had to share. This recipe is about memories, relationships and the love and hard work of our food community that made it possible for me to make a version of this dish I feel good about eating. I am very picky about eating meat and where that meat comes from. I prefer a vegetarian/vegan diet BUT on occasion I crave dishes that include meat, for us that meat must be local, and sustainable raised without drugs, we want happy healthy meat. When I cook with meat it is usually a special or classic dish like Perfect Roast Chicken or Grass-Fed Beef Stuffed Acorn Squash or even my Fish Tacos, this New Mexico Green Pork Chili fits into that category. The first time I had this dish was at my friend Erin and Nicole’s house for an after Christmas party two years ago, even though they had made a vegetarian Lentil Soup I was drawn to this Pork Chili, I couldn’t get enough! Those flavors were so intense and reminded me of the Chile Verde we ate as kids, up until this point my mom’s is the best Chile Verde I have ever eaten. I had to know this recipe, I begged Erin to share the recipe and teach me how to make it- she said yes. Thanks to Erin for letting me share with all of you.

Fast forward a year. Just before Christmas The Downtown Alliance had their second Winter’s Pop Up Farmers Market. Our good buddy Julie Clifford of Clifford Family Farms was there with her goodies, we usually buy eggs and honey from her but this time I was looking for pork. We had just watched the movie‘ Fresh’ and we were curious about how she handles the slaughter of her animals. Julie is very protective of her animals, she shared with us that it is hard for her, and in the past she wasn’t happy with whom was handling this part of her production so she searched out someone who was gentle with that process, (trust me I know there is no gentle way when it comes to this subject). Now she personally walks her pigs in to be processed so they don’t have to be scared. I tear up just writing this because it is not lost on me that an animal was sacrificed for me to make this dish. If you know Julie, you know it’s not lost on her either. I feel very lucky that I can look in the eyes of the person/farmer who is providing the food that nourishes us, that would not be possible without the love and dedication of these people and our community for supporting that and giving us access in the form of Farmer’s Markets and locally owned specialty shops.

Next I had to locate chilies, see last summer I was so busy canning and trying to get ready to leave for Italy that I didn’t freeze roasted Hatch chilies. I’m still kicking myself about this! You can’t use any old chilies for this recipe, Erin gets her chilies from her family in New Mexico. This recipe is minimal in the ingredient department so each ingredient needs to be the best. Shipping the chilies would have cost us a fortune so I had to hit up my buddy Jorge Fierro of Frida’s Bistro and Rico’s Foods for help, this all took place over Facebook of course. Jorge didn’t hesitate to help me out with the chilies. When I went down to Frida’s to pick up the chilies from Jorge we had some time to talk, standing in the middle of his Rico’s warehouse I was in awe of what he has built for himself. I asked him ‘how did this all start Jorge?’ He told me that he grew up in Mexico, moved to Rawlins, Wy to be a sheep herder and while in Wyoming he realized he needed to learn English so he moved to Utah to attend the UofU. He told me he went to school during the day and worked as a dishwasher at night, one night on the way home he stopped at the store to get tortillas and refried beans. He was horrified by the beans and started making his own and selling them at the Farmer’s Market. So simple but so impactful. Now you can find Rico’s products in all our local major grocery stores, and Frida Bistro just won Best Mexican at our Salt Lake Dining Awards this last week. As I drove away from Frida’s with my chilies I was humbled by the effort that went into making this dish happen, it took a community. OUR COMMUNITY. ENJOY!

Nutrition:

Relationships: Social connections help relieve harmful levels of stress, which can harm the heart’s arteries, gut function, insulin regulation, and the immune system.

Definition Of Community: Community usually refers to a social unit larger than a small village that shares common values. (thank you Wikipedia)

Food:

New Mexico Green Chili Pork Stew– makes a lot!

Ingredients:

4 pounds cubed pork (I used a pork shoulder from Clifford Family Farm)

4 cup roasted, peeled, seeded New Mexican Hatch Green Chiles

8 cups broth (I use chicken broth or veggie broth)

4 c. water

2 lbs tomato, peeled & cored (I used my own canned tomatoes)

4 local medium cubed potato

4 local med diced onion

8 cloves minced garlic, local

Salt to taste

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Directions:

1. Start by placing a heavy bottom pot on the stove over medium heat, drizzle in a little bit of oil. Saute the cubed pork in batches, until just brown on all sides. Season with salt and pepper and don’t over cook. Place the browned pork in a bowl and set aside while you cook the rest of the pork.

2. When you have finished with the pork, set aside. Drizzle a bit more oil into the heavy bottom pot and saute the onion and garlic until soft and caramel colored. Season with salt and pepper.

3. Place a big soup pot on the stove, add the sautéed pork, sautéed onions and garlic into the big soup pot. Next add all the other ingredients to the pot with the pork, onions/garlic. Bring to a boil, then turn down to a simmer and simmer away, the longer the better. (This is one of those dishes that gets better and better with time. SO GOOD!)

4. To serve: ladle pork chili into a bowl, add chopped avocado and a squeeze of lime. We topped ours with a dollop Drake Family Goat Yogurt and served a warm Rico’s tortilla on the side.

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