New Product: 6 Grain Prairie Blend

It is that time of year when I'm getting ready to return to work and start filling up the freezer with lunches that can be warmed up in the microwave. This one is a favourite recipe from the Looneyspoon cookbook, Stuffed Bell Peppers.   

But this year, I tried something new. And I'm so glad that I did because this is the best version of this recipe. Instead of using quinoa as suggested in the original recipe, I switched things up and used Floating Leaf's 6 Grain Prairie Blend with Sprouted French Lentils. I found this product at Costco. I didn't have to give up the quinoa as this blend consists of sprouted French lentils, quinoa, hulled millet, split pea, brown rice, and wild rice.  

I will tell you that it does need seasoning. I was not impressed with it plain but once I added turmeric, curry powder, ground cumin, and ground coriander it was Hello, Floating Leaf's 6 Grain Prairie Blend! I also like that it is a local product, non-GMO, and gluten-free. Their website has recipe ideas as well.  

I do believe I have a new staple in the pantry.  

Happy Eats!  

Curried Lamb and Spinach

The best part of this recipe is that it can be done in the slow cooker--love that! I like to buy boneless lamb shoulder but I find that there is a lot of fat. I take the time to trim all the fat off and cut the meat into bite size pieces.

2 lbs of lamb 

1 tbsp. olive oil

1 cup diced onions

1 tsp. tumeric

1 tsp. curry powder
1/2 tsp. coriander

1/2 cup water
2 cups spinach

I served the lamb curry with this delicious chutney. I've never made chutney but I'm willing to give it a try after enjoying this one. Maybe I can play around with this recipe and see what I can come up with. I'll let you know how it works out... 

Happy Eating!  

Cashews and Broccoli

I have been trying to lose weight since my knee surgery and one of the bad eating habits that I've been told I have is eating too much protein. But damn it!, I just can't leave the cashews out. At least I've switched to brown rice. Baby steps... 

Olive oil

Cashews

Broccoli

Hoisin sauce

Saute and enjoy!  Served with cooked brown rice or as a side dish.  

  

Summer-time!

My favourite time of the year is when yellow string beans start to appear at the farmer's market. Once upon a time, my folks grew these in the garden and my Mom learned this way of making them from one of her co-workers. It quickly became a family favourite.  

Yellow beans trimmed, cut, and boiled

Sweet onions, diced

Sea Salt

Freshly cracked black pepper

Olive oil

White vinegar

Toss and enjoy!  

Thai Chicken & Coconut Soup

I discovered the most aromatic and de-lish soup recipe. It is from Emeril's cookbook Sizzling Skillets and Other One Pot Wonders but you can also find the recipe on Emeril's website over here. 

You might want to print this recipe ASAP before it disappears because this one is a keeper. And it is gluten-free too!  

This is the second pot of Thai Chicken & Coconut Soup that I've made and I did tweak it a wee bit according to the ingredients that I had at home. Instead of vegetable oil, I used avocado oil.  I replaced the Thai chilies with a heaping teaspoon of Sambal Oelek. Mushroom stock replaced the chicken stock. And I used chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts. Even still with the changes this is still delicious. Thanks Emeril!  

Happy Eats!  

Summer-time Burger

I use portabella mushrooms (also known as Agarics bisporus) instead of hamburger buns when having a burger. I will warn you that they are messy! But at twenty-two calories per hundred grams and no fat I can deal with the mess. And I don't feel as guilty as I should that there is bacon and cheddar cheese hiding in the middle of that burger. Shhh, our secret.  

To add to the mess factor I dress one side of the "bun" with dijon mustard and the other with snap pea coconut chutney. Oh my! That chutney is so de-lish, I could eat it by the spoonful. The chutney is thanks to KarenFood. You might know her as a regular visitor on CBC Radio with Terry McLeod on the weekends. But I digress, if you're in the Winnipeg area you just might be lucky enough to pick up some Snap Pea and Coconut Chutney at the Hydro Building's downtown Farmers Market on Thursdays.

Good Eats!