Chimichurri is one of my favorite condiments because it is so fresh, vibrant and flavorful. It originated in Argentina but there are several variations across the different countries and regions in South America, most of which have parsley and garlic as the central flavors. It is most commonly used as an accompaniment with grilled meats, and this version is more mild than most but still has enough oomph to liven up quinoa. I put this together for my friend who is a vegetarian Colombian man (not a widely supported lifestyle in his homeland) for a family potluck. Continue Reading →
Mother’s Day Flower Salad
Edible flowers can be a really beautiful addition to a green salad. It is best to get them from a farmer’s market, produce stand or health food store when they are grown specifically to be consumed by humans. Like with mushrooms, flower foraging can end up dangerously if you do not know which ones are safe to eat (don’t worry Mom I bought these at the market). A general rule of thumb is that the flowers from herbs are a good place to start. Continue Reading →
Nourishing Buddha Bowl
This is a blue print of a well-rounded plant based meal that can give full nutritional support to vegans and vegetarians as well as major benefits to omnivores, especially those that do not regularly have vegetarian meals. Making big batches of millet (or brown rice or quinoa) and having cans of beans or lentils on hand can make this easy to throw together over a few consecutive days with some fresh vegetables. Continue Reading →
Merguez Portobello Mini Pizzas
Portobello mushrooms are hearty and dense enough to create a good base for mini pizzas and their rich earthy taste pairs well with lots of different stuffings. They are matured crimini (a.k.a. button) mushrooms, and they contain a range of vitamins and minerals (especially selenium, copper, potassium and phosphorus) and are very supportive for the health of white blood cells, and consequently a healthy immune system. Merguez is a long and thin lamb sausage, used in Moroccan and other Northern African cuisines, and is usually flavored with smokey cumin and spicy harissa. Continue Reading →
Rainbow Fruit Salad with Hazelnut Yogurt
This is something that I like to have available as much as possible, in some variation. My brothers are uncharacteristically more inclined to go more for fruit than chips when such an easy option with no work required is available. Basically any fruit works together but melon does tend to be digested faster so it is more ideal to eat it on its own. Continue Reading →
Beef Tacos
Tacos are a great option for a meal with people who have different tastes and appetite levels because everyone can serve themselves. To make them healthier, I like to add in extra vegetables through lettuce shells and a couple different types of salsa, as well as add in a layer of refried beans at the base. Continue Reading →
Lime Chicken with Fruit Salsa Feast
A meal like this provides a wide range of fruits and vegetables which guarantees a vast range of vitamins and minerals, plus lots of good carbohydrates for energy and fiber to keep things moving. The egg white glaze on the roasted yams along with the chicken both provide the essential amino acids (building blocks of protein) that our bodies need to rebuild and maintain a healthy immune system. The avocado and olive oil provide a good but balanced level of healthy fats that are important for lustrous skin, hair and nails, as well as brain health and clear, efficient thinking. Continue Reading →
Quickie Bison Stir Fry
Bison is similar in taste and texture to beef. The way the animals are raised and fed leads to variances in their nutritional content but generally bison has less calories and saturated fat than beef, while being higher in iron and vitamin B-12, important nutrients for maintaining high energy levels. Bison cooks very fast, making it a good option for throwing a meal together quickly and easily. Continue Reading →
Matt’s Maple Glazed Salmon
This is a meal that even non-cooks can throw together easily. My brother will be going to Europe next year for a semester abroad so he wants to learn how to cook, especially some Canadian inspired meals. This is one of his favorite salmon dishes and now one of his specialties. Continue Reading →
Easy Sausage and Vegetable Bake
This is the kind of dish I like to make when I am out of town and don’t have full access to my regular arsenal of flavorings and spices. Because there are so few ingredients the quality of the sausage makes a huge difference. I recommend getting one from a local butcher, they tend to be much higher in quality, way fresher and with lots of interesting combinations, minus all the cheap fillers like soy, MSG and hydrogenated oils. Continue Reading →