All posts filed under: healthy cooking

Food: Anti-Inflammatory or Bust

I do appreciate these articles – about what to do and not in terms of taking care of different ailments. Although I am going to share with you the suggested anti-inflammatory list of foods to consider, I do have to warn you – that some of these foods can contribute to bloating, food/spice  allergies or gluten related complications. So, approach the suggestions with care or mindfulness: You might also find this interesting: How To Easily Remove skin tags

Food: Dinner Tonight – White Bean Burger

I’ll try any veggie burger, at least once, and this one is something the entire clan appreciated a few weeks ago, so I decided to share it here, in case variety in veggie meals is something you need right about now. Sure it’s a bit of work, but make the slaw and aoli the day before or save it all for a lazy Saturday afternoon at home: WHITE BEAN BURGERS WITH FENNEL SLAW   INGREDIENTS – FOR THE BURGERS 2 cloves garlic zest from 1/2 lemon 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1 tablespoon ground flax seeds 1/4 cup chickpea flour 1 15oz can navy beans, drained and rinsed 1/4 cup parsley oil for frying FOR THE SLAW 1 bulb fennel, thinly sliced 1 tablespoon olive oil juice form 1/2 lemon salt and pepper to taste FOR THE CAPER AOLI 1/4 cup capers, roughly chopped 1 clove garlic, minced 1 teaspoon honey 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1/2 teaspoon black pepper {more}

Food: Dinner Tonight – Salmon Burger

Variation is key to a successful dinner get-together – even for a busy family – who sometimes can’t sit down together for a proper meal. I say, create a menu and put it on display in the kitchen and see just how quickly everyone shifts their schedules around to be present for dinner. Here’s one I’m making tonight. I love Salmon burger and most of the time I order it in restaurants, thinking I can’t make it happen at home. But…this recipe has helped me get over my insecurity about making Salmon burgers: INGREDIENTS FOR THE SALMON BURGERS 1 8-ounce salmon fillet 1 teaspoon salt freshly cracked black pepper 2 stalks lemongrass 1/2 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled zest and juice from 1 lime 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon mayonnaise 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes 3 tablespoons ground flax 3 tablespoons oil FOR THE PICKLED CUCUMBER 1/2 cup rice vinegar 1/2 cup water 1 tablespoon coriander seeds 1 tablespoon peppercorns 1 tablespoon honey 1 cucumber, ribboned 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced FOR THE CILANTRO …

Olive Oil – Facts and Myth

Seriously, when I saw this article about olive oil, my jaw dropped – what do you mean  “Light olive oil” is a misnomer and a marketing ploy that actually means the oil has been refined and treated with heat to strip away odor and flavor.” Although I do not ever consider “LIGHT’ for the olive-oil I buy for my house-hold – I do go for the extra-virgin on the label because…. Extra-Virgin or Bust “Extra-virgin” is the highest designation of quality given to olive oil, meaning it’s unrefined, free of chemicals and other “defects” like rancidity, and never treated with heat. Quality can still vary within the extra-virgin category, but without intimate preexisting knowledge of individual olive oil brands, it’s as close as you’re going to get to an overall guarantee of purity you can get off a label. Look for those two words, and you’ve already eliminated a vast array of crappy bottles. Here’s where I’ve been going wrong  – when buying the olive oil – I assumed “Product of Italy” was enough to consider. Read the …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Ricotta Naan with Eggs

Also known as pizza to me. Actually I love Naan bread as the staple to pizza toppings and this one takes the dough 🙂 INGREDIENTS 2 sweet potatoes, cut into matchsticks 4 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for cooking kosher salt and pepper 4-6 eggs 1 tablespoon raw sesame seeds 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes 4 pieces fresh naan 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese 1 pinch flaky sea salt zest from 1 lemon 1 tablespoon honey 1 cup arugula 1 avocado, sliced {more}

Health & Beauty: This and That

So many articles, so little time, I say about all that is offered up to better yourself, your appearance and even your outlook on life. I welcome them all and take from each suggestion whatever suits me. Or that I feel is obtainable. I don’t put too much pressure on myself to look more than I do. I prefer natural in all things makeup and hair color. Clothes I don’t go overboard – my closet, full of staple pieces and fashion that can be carried on throughout a few years, mixing and matching and creating my own simple style. I love how fashion has evolved now that we can actually wear flats to accentuate and feel sexy. Clothes have become more comfortable and consciously designed for the women on the go. I’ll elaborate more as time goes on – but for now, here’s my latest finds:    

Food: How To Buy Eggs

When I visited a friend in England last March, she had her dozen eggs in a small cage-like container on the counter in the kitchen and when she offered to make me breakfast, I cringed at the idea of eggs being stored outside the refrigerator – like we do in the states.  There is a reason for that I learned when I got back home,  why we store eggs in refrigerators and Europeans don’t. So, for the longest while after I got back, I couldn’t figure out what carton are eggs are the best to buy in the states? And if you happen to be concerned like myself, then read on or scan the bullet points below. Because it is always good to learn something new everyday. 😉 Kosher As long as they’re not cracked, almost all chicken eggs are kosher. Only broken eggs or eggs with blood spots aren’t kosher, and you’d probably notice that anyway. Free-Range, Cage-Free, Pastured Conventional egg-laying hens live in battery cages: cramped mesh cells that prevent hens from ever stretching …

Food: Dinner Tonight: White Bean Beef Stew

Although it isn’t as cold as everywhere else in some parts of the world – I am craving a more heartier meal every day and since I am in charge of dinner at my house – I decided to make this beef stew variation. You know me, I can’t conform to the norm: INGREDIENTS 2 pounds beef chuck, fat trimmed and cubed 1 sweet onion, diced 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated 4 carrots, chopped 1/2 pound mixed baby potatoes, halved 3-4 jarred hot chili peppers in oil roughly, chopped (I buy Delallo Brand) 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or arrowroot powder (gf option) kosher salt and black pepper 2 cups low sodium beef broth 2 cups red wine 1/3 cup tomato paste 4 sprigs fresh thyme 2 bay leaves 1 can (14 ounce) white beans, drained 2 cups winter greens, such as char kale or spinach {more{

Thanksgiving: Easy Casserole Side Dishes and Other Ideas

Casseroles are the easiest of side dishes – and here’s a list of recipes to include some of the traditional favorites with a twist – naturally – because that is how I roll 🙂 And then there is this dressing: Okay, okay – don’t panic – here’s a easy to make menu for that first Thanksgiving dinner party attempt And here’s where I got side-tracked to pies: