Just say No, to processed foods...

As you all know, I'm against processed foods, we just don't spend anytime in the kitchen anymore. We don't make stocks or soups, we don't can, smoke or dry our foods, the pantry is empty going in to winter!



So if you want to stay healthy, start cooking!



The trouble with processed foods, is they are super refined, (for the most part). For example, let's take flour, because we now have the technology, we grind our flour so finely, that the pancreas turns into sugar, not good. I love a good sourdough bread, and as a treat I will buy a loaf, once in a while, cut two slices off of it and give the rest away. It's my treat Bruschette, yum... If you must eat bread all the time, then buy a sprouted grain bread, because the grains have sprouted, the body can digest it without stressing your system. Mark Sheppard at Bakery San Juan, makes a great sourdough, he retards the rise or let's it Prof for about 12 - 18 hrs, Because it is now basically in a fermented state, the body can digest it more easily than massed production breads...



He's a little tip, for taking the stress out of the holidays. Clean your oven now, don't wait until the bird's in the oven, and all the smoke alarms are going off!



Try this for Boxing day breakfast, instead of making scrambled eggs, with milk, try using coconut milk! Yum... About a 1/3rd of a cup (well mixed) per 2-3 eggs.



Bon Appetit, Hobbes

Sticker Shock

Ever wonder what those little stickers, that you see on fruits and vegetables, are all about?

Well here you are, if It's a five digit number that starts with a 9 like, 94570 It's organic, if It's a four digit number, that starts with a 4 0r 5, That means It's been grown conventionally, with the use of chemicals. If the number 8 is in front, that means the grower really has balls, because it has been grown using GMO seed. Which of course we never see, because their not required to tell the consumer...

LUNCH....

It's Thursday, about 1pm, and I'm starving, It's about 20* and trying really hard to snow! The refrigerator looks pretty empty, except for a lemon, some garlic, kalamata olives, and a cauliflower, that I bought from the girls from Waldon Island, at the farmers market, this last weekend. I remembered seeing an article in Gourmet magazine, back in September. Too bad these hard times claimed that icon, I'm going to miss that publication, I go back in time when Caroline Bates wrote some great articles for them. Very Sad... So here it is, a simple wonderful, lunch to remember...

Roasted Cauliflower Steaks, with a Kalamata Vinaigrette

Only Organic Please!

1 2lb cauliflower, cut into steaks about 1/2" thick
1/4 cp olive oil, divided
1 small clove garlic
1-2 Tsp lemon juice to taste
1/4 cup Kalamata olives

Preheat oven to 450*F with the rack in the lower third. Cut cauliflower lengthwise into 1/2" - 3/4" slices, put them on a large sheet pan or baking dish, and toss with half of the olive oil, and season with sea salt and pepper. Roast turning only once for about 25 minutes, or until golden brown. While that's cooking, mince and mash together the olives, garlic and lemon juice, add the rest of the olive oil and a pinch of salt. Blimey, my mouths watering again, just writing this, truly this is a fantastic dish... Cheers, H

Saut'eed Curried Chicken Breasts with a Tarragon Butter sauce

This is a Thomas Keller Recipe, from his book, ad hoc at home, Fantastic!

Feeds Six.



1 tbs sweet paprika

1 tbs Maddras curry powder

6 organic chicken breasts

sea salt and black pepper

olive oil

3 Tbs butter

1 Tbs minced shallot

1/4 cup dry white wine

1 cup chicken stock

1 Tbs chopped tarragon, plus some whole leaves for garnish



Mix together the curry and paprika in a small bowl. Season the chicken breasts on both sides with the mixture. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.



Lay 2 pieces of chicken at a time, on a large piece of plastic wrap, cover with a second piece of plastic wrap, and, using a meat pounder, pound to about 1/4" thick. Transfer to plate Repeat with the remaining chicken.



Preheat oven to 200*F. Set a cooling rack on a baking sheet. Season the chicken on both sides with Salt. Heat some olive oil in a large frying pan over medium - high heat. Working in batches, without crowding, add the chicken to the pan, (smooth) side down, and cook. The smooth side is your presentation side, only turn once! Cook until golden brown, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, then turn and cook the other side for the same amount of time. Transfer to the rack and keep warm in the oven. Add oil as needed as you cook the remaining chicken...

Pour out any remaining oil from the pan and wipe out any burned bits. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter, over medium - high heat. Add the shallot to the pan, reduce the heat to medium, and cook for 30 seconds, swirling the pan to coat the shallot with butter. Pour in the wine, and increase the heat to medium - high, and cook until the wine has reduced by half. Add chicken stock, bring to a boil, and cook until slightly reduced and thickened. Stir in the chopped tarragon, and the remaining butter, and any juices that accumulated on the baking sheet and swirl to melt the butter. Don't try to melt the butter with high heat, the sauce will break. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Arrange the chicken on a platter, pour the sauce over it and garnish with whole tarragon leaves.



Bon Appetit...

Dangers of Sugar...

Rather than preach to you, about the dangers of sugar, and sugar addiction, I want you to check out this web site: http://www.radiantrecovery.com/ they can do the dirty work. Below is a list of natural sweeteners.

Agave Nectar
Raw Honey
Maple Syrup
Rapadura
Stevia Powder
Date Sugar

Let me know, if you need more information on these sweeteners, which for the most part, are low on the Glycemic index...

If you like products which contain High Fructose Corn Syrup, Molasses, Raw Brown Sugar, Turbinado, Sucanat or Florida Crystals, Then you may as well start doing Crack, the results will be the same...

Here's a good recipe for Brussel Sprouts, for the holidays, by Chef Jacquelyn Buchanan N.E.

Oven Roasted Tangerine Brussel Sprouts with Almonds...

This is just a general Idea recipe which does not have amounts, just plan on, one tangerine will feed two.

Start by cleaning and trimming your sprouts, and then, with a paring knife, make a small X on the stem, about 1/4" deep, this will help them cook evenly. Wash and drain.

Heat the oven to 350* cut the tangerines in half, toss with some olive oil and place cut side down in a baking pan. The idea is to caramelize the cut surface, cook until they have some color on that side, about 45 Min's. Mean while blanch your sprouts in chicken stock, drain and add to the tangerines, toss with some salt and pepper, and add some butter, enough to coat everything. Chop up some toasted almonds and sprinkle over the top. Now put the pan back in the oven and cook until tender, about 25 Min's...

Note, you can reuse the chicken stock.

Bon Appetit.