Tag: dinner

slow cooker chicken w/escarole

Slow Cooker Braised Chicken w/Escarole

Benefits of Bay leavesbay leaf

Ever wonder why bay leaves are used so often in Italian cooking? Its flavor is very subtle, so you may think it is an optional ingredient, but bay leaves are packed with nutrients!

Bay leaves are a rich source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and folic acid. They also contain B-complex vitamins as well as many minerals. They have been shown to help regulate blood sugar and help protect against cancer.  Bay leaves also have a very soothing effect on the body.

The greatest benefit of bay leaves is parthenolide, which has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect on the body.  So never skip the bay leaves!  Add them to soups, stews, or anything that will be simmered for a good long while! Try them in this Slow Cooker Braised Chicken Recipe!

Print Recipe
 Slow Cooker Braised Chicken w/Escarole
slow cooker chicken w/escarole
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 12 minutes
Cook Time 4-6 hours
Servings
people
Ingredients
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 12 minutes
Cook Time 4-6 hours
Servings
people
Ingredients
slow cooker chicken w/escarole
Instructions
  1. Heat ghee or oil over medium heat in a skillet. Saute onions, anchovy, garlic, turmeric, oregano, and tomato paste about 6-8 minutes until just beginning to brown.
  2. Add in the wine and balsamic to deglaze the pan. Pour into slow cooker.
  3. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Place in slow cooker.
  4. Dissolve arrowroot in stock and add along with bay leaves and Kombu (Dried Seaweed).
  5. Cook on low for 4-6 hours.
  6. Stir escarole into sauce and cook on low for 30 minutes, until tender. Season sauce with salt and pepper as needed.
  7. Serve over quinoa, brown rice, or cooked millet.
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simple salmon recipe

Simple Salmon Recipe

1 Comment

I make my family eat salmon once a week because it is one of the world’s healthiest foods, containing anti-inflammatory omega-3 fat.  It is also one of the few food sources of Vitamin D and selenium.

It does have a stronger flavor than other fish, so some people shy away from it, especially kids. So I have tried preparing salmon countless ways to get them to like it; special sauces, cedar plank grilled, broiled, bruleed, etc.  It turned out, the simplest recipe was everyone’s favorite and I no longer had to “force” them to eat it.  The key?  Searing the skin in a piping hot pan in a delicious heart-healthy fat!

I used duck fat because it one of healthiest fats you can eat and also the key to all of the delicious food served in French restaurants!  It can be a little pricey, but I render my own when I cook duck breast.  You can also use pastured bacon fat, ghee, or coconut oil.

This easy salmon recipe requires very few ingredients and barely takes 15 minutes to prepare.

Print Recipe
 Simple Salmon Recipe
simple salmon recipe
Course Main Dish
Prep Time 1 minute
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings
servings
Ingredients
Course Main Dish
Prep Time 1 minute
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings
servings
Ingredients
simple salmon recipe
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Heat an oven-proof skillet on high.
  2. Season salmon fillets with salt and pepper on both sides.
  3. Add fat to pan and place salmon skin side down in it and cook for about 5 minutes until skin is browned and crispy. Gently turn fish over and cook on other side for 5 minutes.
  4. Place entire pan in oven and bake for another 5-8 minutes until just cooked through. The secret to perfect salmon is to not over cook it.
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lentil soup

How to eat more beans without the gassy after effects!

The trick?  Soak them! Soaking your beans or lentils overnight in cold water makes them much more easy to digest.  Just remember to drain and rinse them in fresh water before using them.

Another help is to add seaweed like Kombu to beans or legumes to make them more digestible, and it is a great way to add seasoning as well as a healthy dose of iodine, essential for a healthy thyroid!

Try this red lentil stew. The spices in it like cumin and ginger also help aid in digestion. Cardamom, coriander, and cinnamon help reduce those cravings!  Cinnamon is an awesome spice that helps regulate your blood sugar. Turmeric is an amazing spice that reduces inflammation in the body.

 Red Lentil Stew

Ingredients

2 tablespoons coconut oil or ghee
½ teaspoon ground coriander
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground turmeric
1/8 teaspoon ground cardamon
2 onions, minced
6 garlic cloves, minced
6 carrots peeled and chopped medium
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
4 cups water
1 14oz. can coconut milk
1 four inch strip Kombu seaweed
1 pound red lentils, soaked overnight, drained and rinsed
4 to 6 plum tomatoes, chopped
1 cup frozen peas
sea salt and pepper
¼ cup minced fresh cilantro

Instructions

  1. Heat coconut oil in large skillet over medium high heat. Add coriander, cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, cardamon, and red pepper and swirl until fragrant, 1 minute.  Add onions, garlic, carrots, and ginger and saute until onion is softened, about 8 minutes.  Place in slow cooker along with water, coconut milk, kombu, and lentils and stir.
  2. Cover and cook on low 6 to 8 hours or high 3 to 5 hours.
  3. Stir in tomatoes and peas. Cover and cook until heated through, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and stir in cilantro.
  4. Serve

*recipe adapted from Slow Cooker Revolution