Sunday's Nourishement...

 

"You don't have to cook fancy or complicated masterpiece - just good food from fresh ingredients."

Julia Child

Cooking a meal doesn't have to be hard. And complicated doesn't necessarily mean better tasting. Some of the simplest dishes can offer nourishment and good taste. So when you plan your next meal make something that brings you joy with  fresh ingredients. A simple salad or sandwich can be all you need for a meal.

Saturday "Supper"... Chicken Pot Pie

My dinner started with a plan. As you can see on my calendar the 25th says Chicken Pot Pie. I planned it on Sunday because that is the day I usually have the most time. But I still did it in steps...

Step one -Since I knew what I was going to make the day before, on Saturday I put together some homemade chicken broth in the crock pot to cook overnight, plus there will be extra to freeze or make something else with it the following week. ( This step can be skipped by purchasing a store brand broth.

Step Two - I put the raw chicken in a pot and while it cooked I peeled the potatoes. The potatoes are for making mashed potatoes that I put on top. A traditional Chicken Pot Pie usually has a crust on the top and bottom. But some years ago one of my children came up with the idea of the mash potatoes and all I can say is YUM! After the chicken was done,  it was time to cook the potatoes.

Step Three - The next step is making a crust. You can skip this step by purchasing a ready made one. But because we are gluten free, soy free and mostly dairy free in my household that is hard to come by. And I'm still trying to perfect my gluten/soy/dairy free pie crust skills. After the crust was made I put it in the baking dish and placed in the refrigerator until the filling was ready.

Step Four - I made a roux with earth balance ( can use butter), garlic and onion powder, salt and pepper, and some gluten free flour ( you could use all-purpose flour). Then I added my homemade chicken broth some coconut milk ( use whole milk if your not dairy free) and let it thicken up. Next I added the cooked chicken in with some frozen mixed vegetables. While the chicken mixture simmered, I mashed up the potatoes with a little earth balance and coconut milk. Now it was time to put it in the baking dish and bake!

It was as delicious as I remember...

I hope this helps you see how having a plan and break it down into steps can provide you with a pleasant cooking experience. The chicken stock cooked while I slept, and after each step I was busy doing other things I needed to do that day. When it was dinner time, everything was ready to be put it in the oven and then just wait with anticipation. 

Don't let cooking a delicious meal intimidate you. Make a plan, take it in steps and enjoy the process!

Chicken Pot Pie

1/4 cup Earth Balance

1 tsp onion and garlic powder ( adjust to your taste)

1/2 tsp. salt and pepper ( adjust to your taste)

4 Tb. flour ( gluten free or all purpose)

4-6 chicken thighs or 3 chicken breasts - cooked

10 oz bag frozen vegetables

 1 cup of chicken broth

1 cup coconut milk ( or whole milk)

Crust - homemade or from store

4-6 potatoes ( depending on size)- peel, cube, cook, mash

 

Make a roux with the first fourth ingredients. 

Slowly add the chicken broth and coconut milk. Let that cook until bubbly.

Add cooked chicken and frozen vegetables. Allow that to cook 5-10 min. then turn off the heat. 

Have your pie crust ready and put in the chicken pot pie filling. 

Next add the mash potatoes on top

Bake in 350 degree oven for 30-45 min depending how large of a baking pan you used.

 

NOTE - Here is a link that will walk you through making a roux

http://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/help-around-the-kitchen/photos/how-to-make-a-roux.html

Tuesday "Try"... Non-Meat Product

 

 http://eatneat.com/

     "Neat" is a product I've tried before and I wanted to share it with you. On the website there is a location page to find where it is sold in your area,  a story how this product came to be as well as recipes, and a contest http://eatneat.com/blog/the-neat-challenge-ii/ . They have an Original, Italian, Mexican, Breakfast mix and a neategg replacer. I am not a vegan or vegetarian, I only strive to eat healthier and love to explore options that are new and different. 

      We made a taco ring this past week, and this is the original recipe where the idea came from http://www.food.com/recipe/taco-ring-from-pampered-chef-81160, but I have altered it over the years and experimented with different crusts to make it dairy/gluten free. I have found a pie crust is the best alternative and it's still not the greatest but it works. So this time I altered it again and used the "Mexican Neat" mix and could not tell the difference. We enjoyed it and will definitely do that again. We have made meatballs with the "Italian Neat" and with the sauce and cheese it was yummy. The only thing I would do different having cooked with this before is add more water then they suggest. I find it drys out a little more when cooking with it.

      The general ingredients in all are, pecans, garbanzo beans, gluten free oats, organic gluten free grains, corn meal, garlic and onion and spices. Cornmeal is not in the Italian or the Breakfast mix ( there is maple syrup in this). I have not gotten a chance to try the breakfast mix but I'm hoping to be able to locate a place to purchase it. I hope if you're feel adventurous you might give this a try.

Sunday's Nourishment...

 Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all. ~Harriet Van Horne, "Not for Jiffy Cooks," Vogue magazine, 1956

 Whatever you cook this Sunday do it with "Love" ... as you stir, chop, bake and eat, let love be what brings it all together.

Wednesday " Word"... Essentials

 

 The Four Essential Spices for every kitchen

Salt

Pepper

Onion Powder (not onion salt)

Garlic Powder ( not garlic salt)

Additional ones to add

Cumin

Italian blend

Thyme

      Always look for the word "powder" not "salt" when buying onion and garlic spices, whether that is in bulk or in jars. There are many different spices out there and each one adds a particular taste to your dish. But if your budget is limited, start with the four essentials and try a different one each month. If you can find a store where they have spices in bulk, you can get a very small amount at a time and the cost will be minimal. Plus this is a great way to try a new spice! Another idea would be to share with a family member or friend and split a spice.

      You can build up your spice cabinet a little at a time. The additional ones I suggested are good basic ones to eventually purchase,  like cumin for Mexican dishes, Italian "blend" so you don't have to buy all the individual spices like, oregano, basal etc. and thyme because it is a really good basic spice for chicken and other dishes. 

      A fun trip if you wanted to get excited about cooking would be to visit a spice shop or just visit your local grocery store and let your nose enjoy the aroma the spices give off. Spice's offer bold flavors without adding more salt or fat to a dish. Start small and get your four essential spices and work from there. You can always ask for spices as a gift. But don't let what you have available right now in your cabinet stop you from playing with your food.

Love ourselves back to health...

        Getting ourselves to a healthier place, starts with self-love. We cannot "will" ourselves better, it is with gentle and loving kindness towards ourselves that things will begin to shift. We don't need to go looking for the new diet that claims to have all the answers, we don't need to clear out the cabinets and buy all organic and healthy foods. The change and shift will happen, one moment, one choice at a time. Each day brings with it a new beginning, and if yesterday we were not so kind to ourselves, then the awareness will help us try again. Our health is not a destination, it is a life long process of loving and learning. A chance to offer self love through the food we choose and the food we give to others.
        Here are three steps to guide you along and as always, if they don't speak to you, use what does. Self-Love comes in many forms!
 
        First Step:
~ Bring awareness to the food your eating. Not by judging if it's good or bad for you, but enjoy - the color, the taste, the smell. Be aware, as you chew, without distractions, for one meal or one snack.

        Second Step:
~ Be thankful for the abundance of choices and places you are able to purchase food.

        Third Step
~ Remember when your cooking ( no matter what it is) to cook it with a loving intention.

This is a journey of a lifetime... journey with me as we explore how we can " Love ourselves back to health"