Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Indian Spiced Chicken Soup

Yum
So, I have this chicken that I absolutely love.  The marinade is divine.  The last time I made it, I had the thought that those spices would make for a great soup base...so, I finally have made it, and it does, in fact, make an absolutely amazing soup!


Indian Spiced Chicken Soup
2-3 tablespoons coconut oil
3/4 cup onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon  ground coriander
1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
3 medium potatoes, cubed (about 2-3 cups)*
4 cups chicken stock or broth
2  cups chopped kale*
1 can coconut milk (I used Trader Joe's Lite Coconut Milk)
juice of one lime (~2 tablespoon)
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Directions
In a large sauce pan heat coconut oil over medium high heat, add onion and cook until transparent.  Add in garlic and cook for another minute.

Stir in seasoning and cook for a minute, then add in the chicken, potatoes, and chicken stock.  Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and potatoes are tender.

Remove the chicken from the pot, and allow it to cool for a few minutes, before shredding or cubing it. Return the meat to the pot and add the kale, coconut milk, lime juice and salt and pepper and heat through.

*You could substitute any vegetable you want for the potatoes and kale...cauliflower, chickpeas, broccoli, etc., would all be delicious in this soup.


This post was shared on Slightly Indulgent TuesdaysGluten Free Tuesdays, Allergy Free Wednesdays, Gluten Free WednesdaysWaste Not Want Not Wednesdays, Gluten Free Fridays, and Whole Food Fridays.

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Weekly Menu (11/3/13-11/9/13)

Yum
This week in our Bountiful Basket we got:
  • lettuce
  • zucchini
  • cucumbers
  • red onions
  • fennel
  • tomatoes
  • bananas
  • apples
  • green chilies
  • apples
  • winter squash
  • pineapple
  • white grapefruit
We also got the add on pack of persimmons and the Italian add-on:
  • eggplant
  • yellow squash
  • mushrooms
  • garlic
  • parsley
  • herbs
We also has potatoes, carrots, and celery.

The kids are in school now so breakfasts will consist of their choice of:
 lunches will consist of:
  • Sandwiches (Peanut Butter and Jelly or Ham)
  • or Pizza Flatbreads (Schar crispbread topped with cheese and pepperoni)
  • or Crackers, veggies, and hummus
  • chips or crackers
  • fruit (usually apples or bananas)
  • milk
Sunday: 
  • breakfast:  smoothie
  • lunch: leftovers
  • snack: cucumbers and hummus
  • dinner:
    • leftover chicken soup
    • grilled cheese sandwiches
    • green salad
Monday:
  • breakfast: scrambled eggs with green chilis and tomatoes
  • lunch: leftovers
  • snack: cucumbers and hummus
  • dinner:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
  • breakfast: scrambled eggs with green chilies and tomatoes
  • lunch: leftovers
  • snack: cucumber and hummus
  • dinner:
Thursday: My little one's birthday!
  • breakfast:  smoothie
  • lunch: leftovers
  • snack: persimmon and cashews
  • dinner:
Friday:
  • breakfast:  leftover pizza :)
  • lunch: leftovers
  • snack: persimmon and cashews
  • dinner:
    • Chili
    • Baked Potatoes
    • Pineapple slices
Saturday: 
  • breakfast:  scrambled eggs and veggies
  • lunch: leftovers
  • snack: cucumbers and hummus
  • dinner: 

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Spiced Pumpkin Hot Chocolate

Yum
I know I'll never be one of those hugely popular bloggers, mainly because I'm not a photographer.  Case in point:


Nothing fancy about my pictures, just a quick shot of what I happened to be making and consuming in my kitchen on a normal basis.  So, sorry no fancy pictures or props today, just a mug of hot chocolate.

But this mug of hot chocolate is divine.  I LOVE hot chocolate and I LOVE spices, so combining the two is something that happens quite often for me.  The pumpkin gives it a nice creaminess and compliments the spices without being overwhelming.  I added some essential oils into mine, it's totally optional, the hot chocolate is fantastic without them, but it does give the spices a different depth of flavor.  Please make sure you use oils that are safe to take internally if you do add the oils.


Spiced Pumpkin Hot Chocolate for One
1 cup almond milk or other non-dairy milk
1/4 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 tablespoon coconut sugar
1 oz Enjoy Life mini chocolate chips (about 2 tablespoons+1 teaspoon)
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 drop Protective Blend Essential Oil Blend (optional)
1 drop Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil (optional)

Directions
Heat almond milk over medium heat, until hot and steaming.  Stir in the pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice and coconut sugar.  Mix well, then add in the chocolate chips and stir constantly until chips are melted and mixture is hot and steaming again.

Remove the mixture from the heat and add in the vanilla and essential oils.  Pour into a large mug and enjoy!

This post was shared on Slightly Indulgent TuesdaysGluten Free Tuesdays, Gluten Free Wednesday, Allergy Free WednesdayWaste Not Want Not Wednesday, Gluten Free Friday, Whole Food Friday, and Allergy Friendly Lunchbox Love.

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Weekly Menu (10/27/13-11/02/13)

Yum
This week in our Bountiful Basket we got:
  • romaine hearts
  • yellow squash
  • cucumbers
  • onion
  • fennel
  • blackberries
  • bananas
  • kiwi
  • persimmons
  • apples
  • watermelon
  • pinapple (gave to my brother)
We also has pears, carrots, potatoes, onions, garlic, and tomatoes

The kids are in school now so breakfasts will consist of their choice of:
 lunches will consist of:
  • Sandwiches (Peanut Butter and Jelly or Ham)
  • or Pizza Flatbreads (Schar crispbread topped with cheese and pepperoni)
  • or Crackers, veggies, and hummus
  • chips or crackers
  • fruit (usually applesauce, mandarin oranges, or bananas)
  • milk
Sunday: 
  • breakfast:  smoothie (I'll be using bananas, kiwi, persimmons, and berries this week)
  • lunch: sandwich, apple
  • snack: cucumbers and hummus
  • dinner:
    • pizza
    • green salad
    • watermelon slices
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday: 
  • breakfast:  scrambled eggs and veggies
  • lunch: leftovers
  • snack: persimmon and cashews
  • dinner:
    • french toast
    • hashbrowns
    • apple slices
Friday:
  • breakfast:  smoothie
  • lunch: leftovers
  • snack: crackers and hummus
  • dinner:
    • Juniper Takeout
Saturday: 
  • breakfast:  scrambled eggs and veggies
  • lunch: sandwiches
  • snack: cucumbers and hummus
  • dinner: (our church fall festival)
    • chicken soup (expermenting)
    • salad

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Oven Baked Asparagus Fries

Yum
After sharing the Asparagus Fries recipe from The Veggie Book, I ended up switching it up a lot and making my own version of Asparagus Fries.  I used my flour mixture from my fried green beans, replacing the cornmeal with almond flour...holy cow, these are good! The cayenne pepper just brings it to a whole new level.


Oven Baked Asparagus Fries
1/2 cup all-purpose gluten free flour blend
1/2 cup almond flour
1/2 tablespoon salt
3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1 egg, beaten
~1 tablespoon water
1 bunch of asparagus (try to have young, thinner asparagus if possible)

Directions
Preheat oven to 425F and grease a large baking sheet.  In a medium bowl (or even a gallon sized ziploc bag), combine together the flour blend, almond flour, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.

In a small bowl combine the beaten egg and the water.

Trim the ends of the asparagus and cut the stalks in half. Toss the asparagus in the egg, then coat them in the flour mixture.   Place them evenly on the baking sheet and lightly drizzle with olive oil, if desired.

Bake for 10-15 minutes at 425F, or until desired doneness is reached.

This post was shared on Slightly Indulgent TuesdaysGluten Free Tuesdays, Allergy Free Wednesdays, Gluten Free Wednesdays, Waste Not Want Not Wednesdays, Gluten Free Fridays, Allergy Friendly Lunchbox Love, and Whole Food Fridays.