Feelin' Hot, Hot, Hot!

Massachusetts finally hit a cold spell...nay, a below freezing spell. All of last week the weather fluctuated between 5°- 20°F. Brrrrrrr! Needless to say, I wanted something to warm me up; and what better way to do so than by cooking and eating some hot 'n spicy food?! Now, I recognize that not all of you are fans of spicy food, but do not be afraid of the recipes that lay ahead. All of the recipes use the same "spicy" ingredient--chipotles canned in adobo sauce--and you can alter all of the recipes to include more or less of this spicy flavor, according to your personal taste. Also, do not scoff at the tofu recipe. It is INCREDIBLE. If you're not a fan of tofu (and unwilling to try it...though shame on being close-minded), then use the marinade on something else because the taste will blow your mind. 

The recipes are all fairly easy to make, absolutely delicious, and would be great for Super Bowl Sunday (for those of you planning ahead). Regardless of how spicy you decide to make these recipes, they'll definitely get you feelin' hot, hot, hot!

Was anyone else freezing last week? Did you cook anything to make you feel warmer?

Chili Fest Chili (from Moosewood Restaurant: Cooking For Health)
Serves 6-8
Ingredients: 
-1 onion, diced
-2 bell peppers (I used one green, one red), diced
-2 carrots, diced
-3 celery stalks, diced
-1 1/2 tablespoons ground cumin
-1 tablespoon ground coriander (this is ground cilantro...if you don't have this ingredient, don't worry about it. Try adding a bit more oregano instead)
-1 teaspoon dried oregano
-1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
-1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
-1 tablespoon paprika
-1 canned chipotle chili in adobo sauce, minced (plus 1 teaspoon of adobo sauce)
-1 28oz. can diced tomatoes (preferably no salt added)
-1 tablespoon molasses or brown sugar (I didn't have molasses, so I used brown sugar and I think it turned out great)
-2 15oz. cans red kidney beans, drained & rinsed
-1-2 cups water
-salt
-2 tablespoons oil
Optional:
-1 1/2 cups cooked barley, bulgur, or brown rice (adding some sort of grain makes the chili a bit bulkier)
-greek yogurt (to use as a topping)
-grated cheddar cheese (to use as a topping)

Directions:
1. In a soup pot on medium-high heat, warm the oil for a few seconds and then add the onion & bell peppers. Cook for 5 minutes. 
2. Add carrots and celery to pot. Cook for 5 minutes, until carrots start to soften.
3. Stir in all the spices (cumin through paprika). Cook for 5 minutes (make sure to stir, so that spices don't stick to the bottom of the pan)
4. Add the canned tomatoes, minced chipotle pepper & adobo sauce, sugar, beans, and water. Start by adding 1 cup of water and add more according to how soupy you want the chili to be. 
5. Bring pot to a boil, then reduce to simmer for 30 minutes. Be sure to stir. 
6. Add cooked grain(s) to the pot, making sure to mix well. 
7. Serve hot, with greek yogurt and/or cheese on top!


Chipotle-Apple Turkey Burgers (from The Sprouted Kitchen cookbook)
Makes 8 palm-sized burgers
Ingredients: 
-2 celery stalks, finely diced
-3 green onions, finely chopped
-4 garlic cloves, minced
-1 apple, shredded (I used Granny Smith, but Gala or Fuji would taste good too!)
-1 pound ground turkey
-1 canned chipotle chili in adobo sauce, minced
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
-2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced
-1 tablespoon olive oil
Optional: 
-bread or slider buns
-sliced cheese
-sliced tomatoes
-lettuce or spinach

Directions: 
1. Heat the olive oil in a sauté pan and cook celery, green onions, and garlic until just browned. Set aside. 
2. Combine the grated apple, turkey, chipotle chili, salt, pepper, parsley, and cooked veggies in a large mixing bowl. Stir everything until well combined. Form the mixture into 8 palm-sized patties. At this point you can cook the burgers, or place them on plates (cover with plastic wrap) and keep in your fridge for a few hours, until you're ready to cook them
3. Preheat oven to 375°F.
4. Heat your sauté pan over medium-high heat and evenly space turkey burgers in pan. Cook until browned on both sides (about 5 minutes each side). 
5. Place burgers on a baking sheet and cook in oven for approximately 15 minutes, or until a meat thermometer reaches 175°F (internal temp. of meat)
6. Serve hot, on top of bread or salad greens. 
Tastes great with sweet potato fries and roasted brussels sprouts!

Tofu with Chipotle-Orange Barbecue Sauce (from Your Organic Kitchen)
Serves 4
Ingredients:
-1/2 cup orange juice (preferably fresh)
-4 tablespoons honey
-2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
-2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
-1 tablespoon olive oil
-1 canned chipotle chili in adobo sauce, minced 
-1-2 teaspoons adobo sauce (from can)
-2 garlic cloves, minced
-1 teaspoon salt
-1 teaspoon ground cumin
-1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
-1 pound firm tofu, drained and cut into 8 slices

Directions: 
1. In a 13x9 inch glass baking dish, combine all the ingredients except the tofu. Whisk together. 
2. Add sliced tofu to the dish. Place dish in the refrigerator for 1-3 hours. Be sure to flip tofu slices over, every 30 minutes. 
3. Preheat your broiler
4. Place tofu on baking sheet and broil for 10 minutes on each side, until skin starts to become brown.
5. Serve hot!
*Tastes great with brown rice and sauteed greens (like collards, kale, or bok choy!)

Ignorance Is Bliss...

I am amazed by the number of people who do not read nutrition facts panels. As part of my job I spend a lot of time in grocery stores...and I am constantly shocked as to how many people blindly swipe products from the store shelf, without so much as a twist of the wrist to turn the product over and look at the nutrition facts panel. Sure, some products are staple items and at some point long ago the customer took the time to look at the nutrition facts panel. But more often than not, people do not take the time to look at what they are actually eating. Ignorance is bliss...but isn't knowledge power? 

In addition to frequenting grocery stores, it is also my job to teach people the importance of reading nutrition facts panels, how to read a nutrition facts panel, and how to compare nutrition facts panels of different products. This is sometimes a daunting task. Without any previous knowledge, learning how to navigate through the serving size, calories, nutrients, etc. can take quite some time. But it is a necessary skill to acquire, if you want to make conscious decisions about the food you eat. Do you know what you are eating?

Personally, I am a label reading addict--I never eat something without first looking at the nutrition facts panel. I do not expect anyone else (aside from maybe some of my coworkers) to be this diligent about label reading. However, I do hope that--after all of the posts I have written--my readers are taking the time (or starting to take the time) to flip over products and scan what is listed on the side. 

At this point, you (should) know how to tell if something contains trans fats and how to calculate the number of sugar packets in a product. I shared the more complicated aspects of label reading with you first. The other components are less confusing: 
1. The serving size is always the first place to look on a label. Why? Because, if you eat more/less than the serving size, everything else on the label changes.
2. Unless you are trying to lose weight, "calories" is probably the last place to look. Why? Well, a calorie is simply a unit of energy. It is not a good or bad thing. Everything else that the food is giving your body (i.e. amount of fat, sodium, cholesterol, fiber, vitamins, sugar) is much more important to your health. We all need calories. So instead of focusing on "how many calories is this", ask "what does this product have to offer".
3. The fat, cholesterol, and sodium should be on the lower side (i.e. as close to 5% of your daily value or below). 
4. The fiber and vitamins should be on the higher side (i.e. as close to 20% of your daily value or above)
5. Fruits and vegetables do not have nutrition facts labels...think about it. 

So, are you one of the many people mindlessly purchasing items in a grocery store? Do you ever read the nutrition facts panel of the foods you buy? And more importantly, do you understand what all the numbers mean?

Source

Party Food vs. Healthy Food

The holiday season is over. No more cookie swaps, gift exchanges, or $200 ticket purchases for a new year's eve party that ends up being a dud. But just because the presents, trees, cookies, and awkward midnight kisses are gone does not mean that all fun times must come to an end. Parties, get togethers, and post-new years gatherings can still occur! Sure, you made the resolution to eat healthier; however, parties and healthy food can co-exist. Don't believe me? 

At my 2012 new year's eve party I made a wide array of dishes. There were vegetarian, gluten-free, and lactose-free options. I tried to accomodate all potential food allergies, restrictions, and diets. Attendees of the party can attest that the food tasted awesome--leftovers were few and far between. However, unbeknownst to many guests, basically everything they ate at the party was healthy. A few treats went untouched by my magic healthy-food-wand (like the onion dip and cookies). But the other typically fatty and caloric dishes--like artichoke dip and caesar salad--were actually healthy versions of their not-so-good alter-egos. 

The next time you plan a party, cook dinner, or want to impress your friends, make some of these delectable party treats that are actually pretty great for our bodies too. It's 2013...we should all know by now that tasty food can be healthy too.


Caramelized Onion and Shallot Dip (from Bon Appetit)
(vegetarian, gluten-free)
This is still a "sometimes" dish. But to make it healthier, use all greek-yogurt instead of sour cream. That's the only "unhealthy" component of the dish. I followed the recipe verbatim, so I figure you can just look at the link, rather than have me type it all out for you!


Lemon and Herb Hummus (adapted from The Sprouted Kitchen)
(vegetarian, gluten-free, lactose-free)
Serves 8-10
Ingredients:
-2-15oz. cans of chickpeas (preferably low-sodium), rinsed and drained
-2 cloves of garlic, cut into a few pieces
-2-3 tablespoons tahini (sesame seed paste)
-1 lemon, juiced
-1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (less if you don't like spicy)
-1/4 cup olive oil
-1/4 cup parsley, chopped 
-3 tablespoons dill, chopped
-3 tablespoons basil, chopped
-2 tablespoons water (more if needed)
-1 teaspoon salt

Directions:
1. In a food processor or blender, combine the chickpeas, garlic, tahini, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, and olive oil. Pulse.
2. Add water, to help mixture become a smooth consistency.
3. Scoop hummus into a large bowl and add all the herbs and salt. Mix well. 
4. Serve with raw veggies, baked pita chips, bread, or chips!

Tofu Salad (adapted from The Sprouted Kitchen)
(vegetarian, gluten-free, lactose-free)
Serves 8-10
Ingredients:
-1 block of extra-firm tofu, water squeezed out of it and chopped into small pieces
-1/4 cup golden raisins
-2-3 celery stalks, diced (small)
-1/4 cup parsley, chopped
-3 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes, diced
-3 tablespoons whole-grain mustard
-1/2 lemon, juiced
-3 tablespoons olive oil
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-1 teaspoon ground black pepper
-1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Directions:
1. To make dressing: combine mustard, lemon juice, and oil in a small bowl. Whisk together and set aside
2. Combine tofu, raisins, celery, parsley, sun-dried tomatoes, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes in a bowl. 
3. Add dressing to tofu mixture and stir well, making sure that all of mixture gets coated. 

Baked Artichoke Dip (adapted from The Sprouted Kitchen)
(vegetarian, gluten-free)
Serves 8
Ingredients:
-3/4 bag frozen spinach, thawed and excess water squeezed out of spinach
-1.5-15oz. can of cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
-1-14oz. can of artichoke hearts, drained
-2 garlic cloves
-1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
-1 teaspoon dried oregano
-1 teaspoon salt
-1/4 cup parsley, chopped
-3 tablespoons olive oil
-1/2 lemon, juiced
-1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
-1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees fahrenheit. Coat an 8x8 baking dish with oil.
2. Combine the garlic, red pepper flakes, oregano, salt, and parsley in a food processor. Pulse a few times, to coarsely chop.
3. Add the beans, artichoke hearts, olive oil, and lemon juice. Pulse until a chunky puree forms. Place mixture in a bowl.
4. In a separate bowl, combine the Parmesan cheese and mozzarella. 
5. Add half of the cheese mixture and the spinach to the bowl with the bean-puree. Mix well.
6. Spread mixture into greased 8x8 baking dish. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top of mixture. Bake for 15-20 minutes (top should be browned and bubbly).

Caesar Salad
(gluten-free)
Serves 8-10
Ingredients:
-2 heads of romaine lettuce, chopped
-2/3 cup silken tofu
-1/2 lemon, juiced
-2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
-2 cloves garlic
-2 teaspoons anchovy paste
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
-2 tablespoons olive oil
-2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Directions:
1. To make dressing: combine tofu, lemon juice, mustard, garlic, anchovy paste, salt, parmesan cheese, oil, and vinegar in a food processor. Pulse until mixture is a smooth consistency. 
2. Toss romaine with dressing. 
*Try adding some croutons, shaved parmesan, or chunks of cooked chicken!

Sweet Potato Wedges (adapted from The Sprouted Kitchen)
(vegetarian, gluten-free, lactose-free)
Serves 8-10
Ingredients:
-10 sweet potatoes, cut into thick wedges (leave the skin on; just be sure to wash the sweet potatoes well)
-3 tablespoons olive oil
-4 teaspoons paprika
-2 teaspoons garlic powder
-1 teaspoon chili powder
-1/4 cup fresh rosemary, minced
-1 teaspoon salt
-1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees fahrenheit
2. In a large bowl combine all ingredients together, making sure to evenly coat the potatoes
3. Spread potatoes evenly onto baking sheets. Be sure not to overcrowd the baking sheet--otherwise potatoes won't become crispy
4. Bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes. Check every 10 minutes to toss potatoes and make sure they are browning, but not burning (black color).

Cranberry-Chip Cookies
These are so darn good that trying to make them healthy would just be a sin. One cookie never hurt anybody...just don't eat all 60 at once!
Makes 60 cookies
Ingredients:
-2 sticks butter, softened
-1 cup light brown sugar
-1/2 cup granulated sugar
-2 teaspoons vanilla extract
-2 large eggs
-1 teaspoon baking soda
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
-1-12oz. bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips
-1/2 12oz bag of white chocolate chips (about 1 cup)
-1 1/2 cups dried cranberries

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees fahrenheit
2. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat together butter, both sugars, and vanilla extract until fluffy.
3. Beat in the eggs, baking soda, and salt
4. On low speed, gradually beat in flour until well combined
5. Using a spoon, add both kinds of chocolate chips and dried cranberries.
6. On non-greased baking sheets, drop heaping teaspoons of dough about two fingers apart. 
7. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until edges are brown. 

This is not "health" food, but every party should have a few treats!