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Who says we have to suffer...to live a healthy happy vibrant life?

Red wine and dark chocolate... might seem decadent...but these guilty pleasures also might help us live longer...and healthier lives. Red wine and dark chocolate definitely improve an evening..but they also contain resveratrol..which lowers blood sugar. Red wine is a great source of catechins..which boost protective HDL cholesterol. Green tea? Protects your brain..helps you live longer..and soothes your spirit.

Food for Thought, the blog, is about living the good life...a life we create with our thoughts and our choices...and having fun the whole while!

I say lets make the thoughts good ones..and let the choices be healthy...exciting...and delicious! Bon Appetit!

Showing posts with label Peppers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Peppers. Show all posts

Thursday, June 5, 2014

A spicy delicious recipe for roasted vegetables from one of my favorite food blogs.

Chili Roasted Cauliflower and Chickpeas with Coconut Sauce

Photo credit to floatingkitchen.net


Ingredients
For the Roasted Cauliflower and Chickpeas
1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained 1 cauliflower head, cut into bite sized florets
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. cumin seeds
1 - 2 tablespoons Harissa (North African Chili Paste) Recipe follows.

1 1/2 tablespoons fresh mint, roughly chopped
For the Coconut Sauce
1/2 cup coconut milk (I recommend the full fat version) 1/8 tsp. ground cumin
1/8 tsp. ground coriander
Pinch of salt 



For the Coconut Sauce
1/2 cup coconut milk (I recommend the full fat version) 1/8 tsp. ground cumin
1/8 tsp. ground coriander
Pinch of salt 


Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees. On a large rimmed baking sheet toss the cauliflower and chickpeas with the olive oil, salt, pepper and cumin seeds. Roast for about 20 minutes, stirring halfway through. Remove from the oven. Add the harissa and toss gently until everything is evenly coated. Start with 1 tablespoon of the harissa, adding more for your taste preferences (I used almost 2 tablespoons). Set aside.

In a small bowl whisk together all of the ingredients for the coconut sauce.

To serve, drizzle the coconut sauce over the warm harissa-coated cauliflower and chickpeas.
Sprinkle with the fresh mint. Serve immediately.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for 2-3 days.

Harissa North African Chili Paste

Photo credit to floating kitchen.net



3 ounces dried Mexican chiles 1 tsp. caraway seeds
3/4 tsp. coriander seeds
3/4 tsp. cumin seeds

1 tsp. fresh mint leaves 1 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
5 garlic cloves
Juice of 1 lemon

3-5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Remove and discard the stems and the seeds from the chiles. The easiest way to do this is with your hands (I recommend wearing disposable gloves). The stems should just snap right off and the seeds will easily shake out. Place the chiles in a medium bowl and cover them with boiling water. Let them soak in the water for about 30 minutes. 

Toast the caraway, coriander and cumin seeds in a small dry skillet over medium heat, about 2- 4 minutes or until they become fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent them from burning. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool. Once cooled, grind the toasted seeds along with the mint in a spice/coffee grinder or with a mortar and pestle. 

Drain the soaked chiles. Place them in the bowl of your food processor with the blade attachment along with the ground spices, salt, garlic cloves, lemon juice and 3 tablespoons of the olive oil. Process until a smooth, thick paste forms, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. It will take a couple minutes, so be patient. You can also add another tablespoon of olive oil to keep things moving. 

Transfer the paste to a small, seal-able jar (I like mason jars). Drizzle a thin layer of olive oil over the surface. Seal the jar and transfer it to your refrigerator. The harissa will keep for up to a month. As you use the harissa, add a fresh layer of olive oil to keep the surface covered. 

Recipe from www.floatingkitchen.net

 

Thursday, June 16, 2011

The "Dirty Dozen" and The "Clean Fifteen"

This list just out from the Environmental Working Group. Foods with the highest and lowest pesticide residues...the worst offender..Apples.


Conventional farmers use an arsenal of pesticides to protect their crops from insects, bacteria, rodents, molds, and fungi. These substances can end up in the food supply. Washing and peeling fruit and vegetables can lower pesticide residues, but not necessarily. When the USDA tests for pesticides, they wash and peel fruit the same way a typical consumer would.


Can't afford Organics? Try looking for locally grown but do not despair. The EWG made this statement: if families simply select the daily recommended five servings of fruit and vegetables from the "Clean Fifteen" list over five from the Dirty Dozen, they would reduce the amount of pesticides ingested by 92% - without having to shell out extra money for organics.


Buy the produce on the Dirty Dozen organically grown if possible...


The Dirty Dozen 2011

  1. Apples
  2. Celery
  3. Strawberries
  4. Peaches
  5. Spinach
  6. Nectarines (imported)
  7. Grapes (imported)
  8. Sweet bell peppers
  9. Potatoes
  10. Blueberries (domestic)
  11. Lettuce
  12. Kale/collard greens
And the Clean Fifteen 2011

  1. Onions
  2. Sweet corn
  3. Pineapples
  4. Avocado
  5. Asparagus
  6. Sweet peas
  7. Mangoes
  8. Eggplants
  9. Cantaloupe (domestic)
  10. Kiwi
  11. Cabbage
  12. Watermelon
  13. Sweet potatoes
  14. Grapefruit
  15. Mushrooms

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Aaron's Savory Chicken Hash

You've got to make this gorgeous dish! The spices and peppers really deliver big flavor..and just think about those antioxidants...on second thought...don't think overmuch about the healthy elements here...they're here...know that and then just enjoy! This is hands down the best thing I've found to do with a rotisserie chicken. Delicious!

Adapted from a recipe courtesy of Food Network's Big Daddy...Aaron McCargo


Prep Time:
10-15 min
Inactive Prep Time:
--
Cook Time:
45 min
Level:
Easy..oh so easy anyone can make this....
Serves:
4 to 6 servings
Ingredients
   4 Yukon potatoes, peeled and diced
   2 tablespoons butter
   1 medium onion, finely chopped
   1 red bell pepper, diced
   1 yellow bell pepper, diced
   1 tablespoon minced garlic
   1/2 teaspoon cayenne
   1 tablespoon salt
   1 tablespoon coarsely ground black pepper
   1 tablespoon smoked or regular paprika
   1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano leaves
   1 (3-pound) store-bought rotisserie chicken, meat removed and diced
   1/4 cup chicken stock
   2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves, plus 2 more for garnish
   lemon, juiced
Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
Bring a large pot or water to a boil over medium heat. Add the potatoes and cook until tender, about 12 to 14 minutes. Drain and set aside.
In a large oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat, add the butter. Add the onions, bell peppers and garlic and saute for a few minutes. Add the cayenne, salt, pepper, smoked paprika and oregano. Stir in the chicken and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until chicken is warmed through. Season with more salt and pepper, if needed. Stir in the chicken stock to add moisture, along with the parsley and lemon juice. Allow to simmer and let flavors develop for a few minutes. Add the cooked potatoes and put into the oven until the potatoes are no longer mushy...wait is mushy a word ??? Oven time is likely to be about 30 minutes. ( Great time to open a nice bottle of wine and make a fresh green salad....Remove from the oven and transfer to a serving bowl. Squeeze more lemon juice to taste, grate some lemon zest over it too if you're feeling sexy... and top with fresh chopped parsley.
This is definitely not your mothers chicken hash.....