Archive for March, 2009

Adopt a (yummy) GF blogger: Chickpea and Spinach curry

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009

yum

The picture of the Chickpea and Spinach curry really doesn’t do the yumminess any justice.  Like most curries, the beauty lies within…

This super yummy, vegan curry is part of Adopt a GF Blogger, the brainchild of Sea, of Book of Yum.     I’ve wanted to adopt Sea for ages, because I love her healthy, inventive, flavorful GF recipes that usually have an exotic flare.  The most fun part of all of this was going through her (extensive!) recipe index!  The hard part was finding just one to make…but now I’ve marked a couple more for future weeks.  Another great part of her recipe index is that she rates recipes, so that you can figure out which things absolutely HAVE to get made.

The recipe was wonderful, flavorful, and satisfying.  It was so perfect because I *had* to get GF aseofetida powder, and went through this process of hunting it down, then and then I only used it once (ya know, when you want it pretty much because you can’t have it).  So this gave me an opportunity to give it some more use! Another bonus was that I had a bag of frozen tomatoes from my plants last summer, and I’m trying to make my way through all of the frozen foods I’ve stored to make room for the vegetative goodness just around the corner!  Of course, using my own tomatoes made it taste better because anything you plant is just uniquely splendid…just ’cause.

I made the recipe as directed.  The only change I made was using arugula instead of spinach since the cute little market near me was out of spinach.  It was funny, really, how annoyed I was at first, and a good reminder of how much I take having beautiful, organic, fresh foods for granted!

So thanks again, Sea, for all the recipes!

Posted in adopt a gf blogger | 5 Comments »

Menu Plan Monday March 30th

Sunday, March 29th, 2009

Manda of Asparagus Thin is our kind hostess this week, and her food of choice is rice.  Rice is such a versitile food, and probably the mainstay of most GF diets.  Most regretfully, I’m quite sensitive to rice.   Despite my repeated requests, my body is quite insistent that rice stays on my “to avoid” list.  But I have posted my favorite rice recipe from the past…and hopefully future, Spiced Forbidden Rice pudding.

This isn’t a glamorous, snazzy menu, it’s much more one of those utilitarian, how do I get by kind of weeks.  I get the joy of a colonoscopy, and thus will be on a liquid diet Thursday and Friday and no nuts OR seeds between now and then.  I can’t say I’m looking forward to any of it, but I did make a ginormous vat of turkey broth for the occasion.


Monday:
Sea’s Chickpea and Spinach Curry

Tuesday:
Tuna in lettuce cups with avocado
Roasted Red peppers

Weds:
Chinese 5 spice chicken with broccoli

Thursday:
Coconut water and turkey broth

Friday:
Coconut water and turkey broth

Baked good of the week:
I’ve been experimenting with a dairy free frozen almond mousse…and hopefully will revisit the crackers, too.

Posted in menu plan | 5 Comments »

Menu plan Monday with a Latin Flair!

Sunday, March 22nd, 2009

Many thanks to Elizabeth at Weird and Surprisingly Good for choosing Latin foods as our weekly theme! Love it. I’m assuming we’re including all of Central and South America.

amigofoods_2046_10366782Quinoa, a Peruvian grain, is always a staple in my diet because it’s such a great source of vegetarian protein and fiber (and super yummy!). And cassava crackers, or Casabi, are from the Dominican Republic and just about perfect for someone who is allergic to most things because the ingredients are…cassava. Too bad they’re so hard to find in the US now.

And, of course, this is a perfect opportunity to make Jude’s Braised Chicken with Ancho Chilis because I’ve been eying it for ages!

chocswp

Last week was a tasty one. I made a chocolate sweet potato cake which had great consistency…but still had a slight funky taste, so it needs more work. My new project is also perfecting crackers, because I’m a woman on a mission.

Monday:
Vegan
Quinoa Black Bean Salad with avocado

Tuesday

Coconut curried collardswith turkey

Weds:
Chicken with Ancho Chili Sauce

Thursday:
Sea’s Spinach Chickpea Curry

Friday:
Avocado and Tomato soup

Baked goods:
Chickpea crackers

Something chocolate =)

Posted in menu plan | 5 Comments »

Menu Plan Monday March 16th–Nuts!

Sunday, March 15th, 2009

Nuts happen to be among my favorite foods, so I am very glad that Sea of Book of Yum has chosen them as this week’s ingredient.   There’s so much you can do with them, and they add such great flavor (and nutrition!) to any dish. Almost all of my baked goods contain nuts, from Brazil nut butter brownies to Macadamia nut cookies and they’re pretty much a daily snack.  In fact, I made hazelnut butter this weekend, and am using a Nutella like concoction to bribe me to finish my taxes. The nut butter will probably be devoured before I finish this post, but the taxes…well, that’ll take a heck of a lot longer

Last week was a tasty one, with black bean brownies from Sally (more details to come from her soon, I’m sure!) and, in honor of National Nutrition Month, I posted on how much I love my job as a nutritionist!

Monday:

Gumbo (with a quinoa flour roux) with cornbread

Tuesday:
Slow cooker beef in a tomato fennel herb sauce with crispy crackers (featuring brazil nuts)

Weds:
Ginger Cinnamon Turkey and roasted cauliflower with cumin seeds

Thursday:
Leftovers

bowl-o-tsoup1

Friday:
Avocado and Tomato soup with cashew creme

Baked goods:
I’ve been thinking about a chocolate sweet potato cake for a good long time. I am so curious to see how/if it’ll work! And it contains hazelnut meal so it should fit well with the nut theme

Posted in menu plan | 9 Comments »

A Perfect Fit: Me, an RD!

Tuesday, March 10th, 2009

cherylpic1

Usually, it’s all about the food, but here’s a short break to discuss…well, people who discuss food.  Maybe that’s not so much of a stretch?

Sometimes people choose a career. My career choose me.  Since I’m from a Middle eastern family, food is pretty much the center of everything.  Happy?  Eat!  Sad? Eat!  Hungry?  You get the idea.  Food was always central, and my first language, so to speak.  Becoming a nutritionist and dietitian was a natural choice.

As the years went by my own health issues began, I wondered if my diet could help, especially since many of my problems were gastrointestinal issues!  More than one doctor gave up and said, well, you’re a dietitian, figure it out.

Initial allergy tests did little, but going gluten free was HUGE for tummy issues, pain, energy and more.  Many allergy and food sensitivity tests later, I found that I had a lot of food triggers.  I learned how to manage a gluten free, dairy free, egg free, soy free, peanut free, shellfish free, corn free, sugar free diet and still make good, healthy food.  Then it dawned on me that I’d unintentionally stumbled into a unique niche.  It’s fascinating, fun, rewarding, and such a delight!  I’m very lucky that I get to work with fabulous clients, discussing things that are always interesting to me.  www.harriswholehealth.com

This post is in honor of National Registered Dietitian’s Day, which is March 11th.  I didn’t have a clear vision of where I’d be as an RD, but it’s been a great journey.  Please do check out sites of other RDs and give them a little love, too!

Beyond Prenatals – Food vs. Supplements and Real Advice vs. Fake Advice
Annette Colby - No More Diets! A Registered Dietitian Shares 9 Secrets to Real and Lasting Weight Loss
Ashley Colpaart – Dietitians working in food policy, a new frontier
Diana Dyer – There and Back Again: Celebration of National Dietitian Day 2009
Marjorie Geiser – RD Showcase for National Registered Dietitian Day – What we do
Marilyn Jess – National Registered Dietitian Day–RD Blogfest
Julie Lanford – Antioxidants for Cancer Prevention
Renata Mangrum – What I’m doing as I grow up…
Liz Marr – Fruits and Veggies for Registered Dietian Day: Two Poems
Meal Makeover Moms’ Kitchen – Family Nutrition … It’s our “Beat”
Jill Nussinow – The Registered Dietitian Lens I Look Through
Wendy Jo Petersen – March 11 is our day to shine!
Diane Preves – Registered Dietitians and the White House Forum on Health Reform
Andy Sarjahani – Dr. Seuss Tribute continued: Green Eggs and Ham and a Sustainable Food System
Rebecca Scritchfield – Big Tips from a “Big Loser”
Anthony Sepe – RD Showcase: Registered Dietitian Day, March 11, 2009
Kathy Shattler – RD Showcase for Nutri-Care Consultation
UNL-Extension, Douglas/Sarpy County – Nutrition Know How – Making Your Life Easier
Monika Woolsey – Dietitians–Can’t Do PCOS Without Them!
Monika Woolsey – In Honor of National Registered Dietitian Day
Jen Zingaro – My life as a Registered Dietitian

Posted in about | 19 Comments »

Menu Plan Monday, March 9th

Sunday, March 8th, 2009

We’re having a free for all this week, since I didn’t post an ingredient earlier. Since it’s one of my favorites, let’s say the magic ingredient is garlic, because that’s an easy one to work in! If you’d like to host future weeks, please do drop me a line!

escake

Last week was a tasty one, and I posted Curried Coconut Greens and made a tweaked version of my Nana Skillet Bread, too. As a treat to DH, I shrimpmade a few mini chocolate hazelnut cakes (AKA Erik’s Cake) I will post the recipe soon, and shrimp scampi was even on the menu! What can I say, I’ve missed playing in the kitchen and enjoyed playing again.

Monday:
Grillin’
Chicken in green goo (a parsley/garlic/rosemary marinade) with grilled peppers

Tuesday:
Vegan
Southwestern Quinoa with avocado

Wednesday:
Baked thyme salmon and roasted asparagus

Thursday:
Vegan
Malaysian Sunflower Curry with broccoli

Friday:
“breaded” Turkey cutlets and celery in chestnut sauce

Dessert:
Chocolate coconut “pudding”

And everyone else?
Sea shares a creamy pasta dish with a lovely looking tahini and basil sauce, and there’s a great East Indian Chili on the menu that looks great, too!

Kim at Gluten Free is Life says she has a simple menu plan, but don’t believe her! Butterscotch brownies? Carob fudge? if that’s being a slacker, I’m not sure where that leaves me!!

Wendy at Celiacs in the house makes good use of garlic this week, and has some great crockpot dishes on the menu. But what really caught my eye is her Kale pizza…hopefully we hear more!

Elizabeth and Weird and surprisingly good is focusing on getting more protein while staying on an allergen free menu. She’s got Catfish chowder in the works, and it sounds yummy.

Elizabeth at A Modern Gal has a great looking, vegan recipe for Banana Oat Bars.  She’s also got a bunch of nice looking bean dishes in the line up, and plans to try tempeh.

Last but certainly not least, we have a Gluten free and vegan menu from In My Box.  Not only is she hosting Sugar High Fridays this week, but she’s got a bunch of Moosewood recipes in the lineup, too.  Seems like everyone is having black eyed peas this week!

Posted in menu plan | 12 Comments »

Coconut Curried Greens

Saturday, March 7th, 2009

curried-collards

I love collards. And to think that for 25 or so years of my life, I had no idea what I was missing out on!  I grew up in NY and never really tasted them, or if I did, I didn’t remember it.  But Virginia is “Southern country” and they were a staple at potlucks.  Granted, generally ’round these parts they’re served with ham, but I liked them enough that I was intrigued and determined to find another way to enjoy them. They’re best right after the first winter frost, but it’s one of the few things I can still find at the Farmer’s Markets even now, and it’s nice to have locally grown on the menu.

The most miraculous part of all of this is that DH ate them…and asked for more.  Somehow perhaps it has escaped him that indeed, the green stuff is a vegetable?  I won’t mention it and hope that he doesn’t his mind!  But they are so buttery when they cook up in the coconut curry that we’ve ended up fighting over leftovers.  Yum.

I use coconut meat to make a coconut milk, but I’m sure canned would work just as well.  I often brown chicken or another protein or toss in leftovers for a heartier meal, but it works just as nicely in vegan form.

And, of course, you can add in some cayenne for a little extra kick if you’re so inclined!

Last year, I grew my own collards and used them in a yummy African inspired Almond Stew, but this year, the rabbits chewed them down to the ribs.  I guess that’s what I get for pulling up the carrots.

Large bunch of collards, stems removed
2 inch knob of ginger, peeled and minced finely
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons oil
2 teaspoons garam masala powder

meat of one young coconut and water (2 cups total when blended)

Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add collards, let boil vigorously for 20 minutes (or more, to preference). Drain, reserving 1 1/2 cups of the collard water. Blend water with coconut (this is your coconut milk!). Chop collards coarsely.

If making a version with meat, brown meat in the oil and reserve. Saute ginger and garlic in oil until fragrant. Add in garam masala powder and stir for a minute. Add in coconut mill, the greens and browned protein (optional). Allow to cook and thicken for 8-10 minutes, or until desired consistency is reached.

Serve and enjoy!

I’m serving up these collards for Weekend Herb Blogging, originated by Kalyn

. Now our kind coordinator is Haalo, and she’s hosting this week, too! Collards aren’t unusual veggies, but I’m not familiar with them in curried form, so I hope this counts.

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Posted in recipe, vegetables, weekend herb blogging | 9 Comments »

Menu Plan Monday March 2nd–Chickpeas!

Sunday, March 1st, 2009

garb

This week’s theme is Chickpeas, or garbanzos. From hummus to soccas, falafel to garbanzo salads, chickpeas are amazing. I can’t wait to see how everyone includes them in their menus! Since my family is from the Middle East, I am a huge fan of chickpeas in all forms. I haven’t yet tried this recipe for crispy spiced chickpeas, but oh, I’m tempted!

It’s a great time of year, when it’s clear that winter is indeed going on its way soon. I love spring (and summer and fall) it’s just winter that I haven’t yet learned to appreciate. My indoor peach tree is even budding!

I’ve also (finally) posted recipes from a healthy GF recipe contest I’m hosting. If you’re interested in entering, please feel free to send recipes, or you can vote on the ones submitted! There are great prizes, so check it out.

valentine

And to those of you who were so interested in the vegan brownie recipe…it was fabulous, but it totally fell, so I need to keep tweaking the recipe. I’ll have to keep you posted. I also posted the DB chocolate cake, which was quite dreamy!

Monday:
Chicken and broccoli in a Malaysian Sunflower butter sauce

Tuesday:
Tilapia in a tomato sauce with green peppers

Weds:
Vegan
Avocado and sorrel soup

Thursday:
Socca (chickpea pancake) with arugula pesto

Friday:
Turkey in a garlicky parsley sauce with roasted asparagus

Baked goods:
I’m teaching a class “Living and Loving a GF diet”, and will make an apple crisp if I have time

If you’d like to host a menu plan, drop me a line!

A Modern Gal has a great menu planned, featuring a chicken she roasted.  Her Indonesian Spicy Rice looks delish!  Her Chickpeas and greens sound good, too.

Elizabeth of Weird and surprisingly good has a nice run down of her favorite snacks along with her menu for this week.  She’s getting her chickpeas this week in the form of hummus!  Her chicken enchilada recipe is in the works and hopefully she’ll share that soon.

Sea of book of yum joins us with an un-chicken waldorf salad recipe, and a great recipe for veggie fajitas.  Not only that, but most excitingly, Sea is pregnant and Baby yum is surely loving all the gormet GF global treats!

Wendy of Celiacs in the house has a great looking Potato and chickpea curry on the menu that I’m going to have to try really soon!  She’s also got a nice picture of the ocean to inspire her toward warmer times and nicer weather, and I can’t blame her a bit!

Ginger has an adorable picture of her piggies in a menu that also  contains pork (I guess the piggies haven’t gotten the memo!) and a great menu that includes Mahi mahi and mango salsa.  The cabbage stir fry sounds great, too!

Country living is balancing her menu with the preferences of her family members (but just as a heads up, her menu does contain spelt and barley, which are offlimits on a gf diet).  The sweet potato cakes sound yummy.

Angela gets her chickpeas in her GF flour, and she’s got a fun week planned.  She’s training for the Breast Cancer 3 day, on top of a busy schedule.

Poor Manda has been having power outages, but still joins us with a global menu.  She’s even got a Romianian buckwheat stew!

Esther stops by to share some ideas for great salads and her menu, including veggie curry, pasta with cream sauce and ribs, too.  She even teases us with the thought of beetroot hummus!

Posted in menu plan, side dish | 13 Comments »