get your yummy back

musings from a health supportive culinary artist

Herbed Quinoa and Chickpea Salad February 5, 2012

Filed under: how to make it — chezdesblog @ 2:20 pm
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Had the neighbors over for Carnitas Friday night. It simmered away in the slow cooker all day making the house smell delicious! To go along with it, I made Zesty Coleslaw (a house favorite) and this Herbed Quinoa (KEEN-wah) and Chickpea Salad.

Most weekends, you will find me with a pot of whole grains on the stove – farro, brown rice, couscous, or in this case, quinoa. I make a batch or two up for the week while I am puttering around at any given moment. Once the grains are cooked, dishes come together quickly – all week.  For example, cooked couscous can be served with hot milk, maple syrup, nuts and raisins for a delicious breakfast porridge. It can also be turned into tasty couscous cakes or salads for lunch and dinner.

Same thing goes for cooked quinoa. In this case, I simply tossed it with fresh herbs, chopped vegetables, chick peas, fresh lemon juice, rice vinegar and olive oil. For my next trick, I think I’ll make a batch of Curried Quinoa Salad to go with seafood some night this week. Yum.

 

Moroccan Chicken and Butternut Squash Soup January 29, 2012

Filed under: how to make it — chezdesblog @ 10:58 am
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source: www.myrecipes.com

Always in the market for new soup recipes, I happily stumbled across this one for Moroccan Chicken and Butternut Squash Soup. Hearty, healthy and delicious – it’s a keeper. You do not need to use pre-cooked chicken, but you can – which is nice if you’ve got leftovers. The couscous adds substance to the mix while the basil and orange rind, well, yum!

I use whole wheat couscous, which contains more fiber than couscous made from regular flour. For a gluten-free version of this soup, simply skip the couscous altogether and reduce the liquid by one cup.

If you have extra butternut squash like I did, cube it and toss it with some olive oil, chili powder, salt and cumin. But it on a sheet pan and roast it in the oven at 375 degrees until tender. Eat it just like that or toss it with greens for salad. Enjoy!

 

Pasta with White Beans, Greens and Lemon January 15, 2012

Filed under: how to make it — chezdesblog @ 9:38 pm
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Last weekend, we planted fruit trees. Eight of them! Plum, pluot, apricot, peach, apple, orange, lime, and lemon. This is a picture of my cute little Meyer lemon tree. Thin skinned and mellow in flavor, Meyer lemons are actually a cross between a lemon and mandarin orange. In honor of my new tree, I chose a recipe to test that featured fresh lemon – Pasta with White Beans, Greens and Lemon. Yummy. I think it’s substantial enough to serve as a casual, vegetarian main dish. It could also serve as a delicious side for grilled meats or seafood. I especially liked the light, lemony flavor paired with the dark greens.

In other news, I broke my recipe index down into sub-categories, making it easier to find things by main ingredient (hopefully!). As always, I appreciate your comments and feedback!

 

Easy Pork Tenderloin with Orange-Ginger Pan Sauce January 8, 2012

Filed under: how to make it — chezdesblog @ 12:05 am
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I feel compelled to put “easy” in the title for Pork Tenderloin with Orange-Ginger Pan Sauce because it sounds, so, well, fussy.  It’s the pan sauce part that I don’t want to deter you. It’s simple to make, really, and it makes all the difference in the world. Meats of all kinds are best served with sauces and this recipe is simply a case in point.

In this recipe, I brown both sides of a lean pork tenderloin in my cast iron pan (it was made for this!), cover it with foil, and pop it into the oven for 25 minutes. There. The pork tenderloin is ready.

While the pork is on the oven, I mix the ingredients for the marinade – orange juice, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, salt, and red pepper flakes. Once the pork comes out of the oven, I set it aside on a cutting board to rest before slicing it. In the same pan in which I cooked the pork, I put the marinade over medium heat and bring it to a boil on the stove, allowing it to simmer for a few minutes while the rest of dinner comes together. Pour the sauce over the tender slices of pork and side vegetables, and, YUM…

In other news, GYYB had a great 2011. We have over 120 subscribers and drew over 9,900 hits.  The most-viewed post was Pim’s Super-Quick and Fantastic Tomato Sauce (indeed it is!). Thanks for visiting and happy new year!

 

Sunny. 70. Tamales! December 25, 2011

Filed under: how to make it — chezdesblog @ 8:20 pm
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‘Tis the season for tamales and I made a boat load. My recipe for Green Chili Chicken Tamales makes about 40 delicious little bundles of yum. They freeze well, so I don’t hesitate to make the whole recipe for just the two of us. Traditionally, the masa (dough) is made with lard but I substitute a combination of corn oil and chicken broth with delicious results. If you prefer a vegetarian version, make this filling and just skip the chicken. If you can’t find fresh tomatillos at the market, canned ones work as well. I’ve used both in the past. Also, don’t believe the hype about how “hard” it is to make tamales. It’s quite simple, really, it just takes a little time, which is why it’s nice to recruit friends and family to help you. Make it a fun project! They are so worth it…

It’s sunny and 70 here today. We’re off for a bike ride. Be merry!

 

Farro Salad with Winter Fruit, Pistachios and Ginger December 18, 2011

Filed under: how to make it — chezdesblog @ 1:40 pm
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It’s Sunday and I’ve got a busy week ahead – don’t we all!? So, I’m working ahead, making some dishes that will make meal time easy and enjoyable instead of time-consuming and hectic. I started with this Farro Salad with Winter Fruit, Pistachios and Ginger. Make it. I like it because it relies on some of my favorite flavor bombs for the dressing – citrus, ginger, and fresh herbs. It may be “winter-y,” but it’s light and delicious all the same. Enjoy it as a side with grilled meat or seafood, as a main on a bed of greens, or alone, for breakfast. It’s that versatile.

I am also making a batch of Green Chili Pork Posole because it’s sooooo good and it can sit on my stove this afternoon while I de-clutter to my desk, hang pictures, unpack boxes (still), and tend to other glamorous tasks. It freezes well and can be served as a stew, burrito-style with tortillas, or can double as a filling for tamales - which are definitely on the agenda for Christmas! I’ve also roasted some Delicata squash, which makes a pretty, seasonal addition to any meal.

Other great make-ahead recipes that make week nights easy include Morrocan-style Chickpea and Vegetable Stew, White Bean Chili, and Carnitas. Have a great week!

 

Weeknight Meal: Dried Cherry Chili December 11, 2011

Filed under: how to make it — chezdesblog @ 5:09 pm
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Yep, you read that right. Dried Cherry Chili. I know, it sounds weird, but listen up. I love dried cherries in salads, cookies, granola, and oatmeal. They are rich in antioxidants and it only takes a few to get great flavor. Why not chili?

My friend Emily sent me this recipe informing me that it was a contest-winner and family favorite. So I tried it. And I really liked it. It comes together quickly and tastes even better the next day, after the flavors have had a chance to develop. Not surprising. I find that this “better the second day” rule applies to most soups and stews…

Anyway, in addition to being tasty and good for you, this recipe is super versatile. It calls for ground turkey, but you could use ground chicken. You could also use left over cooked turkey or chicken. Simply follow my notes on the recipe if this is the route you choose. Either way, enjoy this delicious, different combination. I served it with a big mixed green salad and maple corn bread. Yum.

 

Whole Grain Goodness: Chocolate Persimmon Muffins December 3, 2011

Filed under: how to make it,where to see it — chezdesblog @ 1:03 am
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Ah, persimmons. You see them at the farmers’ market right about now. They sit in cute baskets and on tables; mounds of vibrant orange and red. They come in different shapes with names that are a little tough to remember. They look so enticing; but what would you do with them once you got them home? Lots of good stuff. Don’t be afraid.

Take these Chocolate Persimmon Muffins for example. The recipe calls for Hachiya persimmons, the more oval variety. When very ripe, their flesh is like a puree. Fresh fruit puree, buckwheat flour, yogurt, and dark chocolate put these muffins at the top of my list until my persimmon stash runs out!

I ripen my persimmons on the kitchen counter displayed in a pretty bowl. You’ll know when they are ripe – they will feel very soft and squishy – in a good way. For more about persimmons and ideas about how to use them, check out this post from one of my favorite food bloggers, David Lebovitz. The source for this recipe is Good to the Grain by Kim Boyce. It’s an excellent cookbook and homage to baking with whole grains, which add unique flavor and texture to baked goods. Check it out!

 

Holiday Spice Bread November 27, 2011

Filed under: how to make it,where to eat it — chezdesblog @ 2:44 pm
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Over the weekend, I made this Holiday Spice Bread  and gave it out to the neighbors. I got the recipe from Rouge Tomate, home to modern American healthy cuisine, where I did a stage (that’s restaurant speak for an apprenticeship). It got rave reviews! I think the secret ingredient is carrot juice, which I was able to buy in the produce section at my local grocery store (trust me, nothing fancy about this store). Carrots are packed with natural sugars, keeping the added sugar to a minimum. Whole wheat pastry flour, coconut oil, palm sugar, pineapple, golden raisins, cardamom, and cinnamon combine to make for a deliciously spiced homemade treat. This recipe works well for small bread pans, muffin cups, or single loafs. Cooking time will vary, of course, so watch it closely, and remove your treats from the oven (whatever their form!) once a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Your neighbors will thank you.

 

Treat Me: Olive Oil Cake November 20, 2011

Filed under: how to make it — chezdesblog @ 4:42 pm
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For the past several months, I’ve had construction workers, plumbers, dry-wallers, painters, tile guys and paving guys running around my house. In the early months, when it was hot, I kept drinks on ice for them in a cooler every day. After a while, I started “Donut Fridays” – stopping at the local donut shop for a dozen on my way home from Boot Camp so the guys could have a breakfast treat.

Now that I have a kitchen, I’ve started baking treats. Cookies, quick breads, banana cake. Last week I made this Olive Oil Cake – a scrumptious treat that I almost kept for myself. It’s delightful! This cake goes to show that simple does not mean simplistic. Simple pantry ingredients combine to make a wonderful, flavorful moist snack cake.  It was gone in a day. I guess they liked it too! I’ll be sure to have this around for family over Thanksgiving…

 

 
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