Enjoy the Kitchen mindfully and with compassion

May 19, 2019

Cauliflower Potato Hash brown

Filed under: enjoy the kitchen,Recipe — Vincent Alvarez @ 2:52 pm

This is a great breakfast idea that’s much lower in carbs than a traditional hash brown.   It also has more antioxidants and fiber.  Try them with any meal or as a snack.

Cauliflower Potato Hashbrown

Ingredients
For: 5 patties

1 Cup cauliflower break into florets (food processed)
1 Cup red potato (food processed)
1/4 Cup onion chopped (food processed)
1/4 Cup chickpea flour
1 Tablespoon arrowroot starch or cornstarch
1/2 Teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 Teaspoon salt

Instructions
Preheat oven 475 degrees F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

Process cauliflower, potato and onion in a food processor or grate with a box grater until crumbly.

Combine chickpea flour, arrowroot starch, garlic powder, salt. Stir to combine.

In a large mixing bowl mix cauliflower, potato and onion together.

Add the dry ingredients and mix to form a batter.

Divide batter into 5 equal portions, shape into patties, about 3 x 2 inches.

Place patties on prepared baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes, flip patties and bake for another 5 minutes.

Each Patty: Calories 74, Protein 2.5 g, Carbs 12 g, Fat 5 g, Fiber 3

Green Smoothie

Filed under: enjoy the kitchen,Recipe — Vincent Alvarez @ 2:38 pm

This drink is a great way to increase your veggies at any meal. It’s loaded with antioxidants, phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals, and fiber.Green Smoothie

Ingredients
1 Leaf Swiss Chard
1 Leaf Kale
2 Leaves Red leaf lettuce
1/2 apple
Handful of baby spinach
Handful of Parsley
1/8 Avocado
Pinch of cinnamon
1 cup Water

Instructions
Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

October 24, 2018

Quinoa & Arugula Salad

Filed under: Recipe — Vincent Alvarez @ 8:53 pm

quinoa_arugula_salad
Making the Vinaigrette
3 tbsp white balsamic vinegar
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 small clove of garlic, minced
1 tsp sweetener
Salt and pepper to taste

To prepare the vinaigrette, add all the ingredients to a mixing bowl and whisk to combine.
Alternatively, you can add the ingredients to a jar or other container, place a lid on the top and shake to combine.
Store any leftovers in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature before using.

Making the Saladquinoa_arugula salad_mise en place
First, gather and prepare your mise en place.
2 cups quinoa, cooked
4 cups arugula
1 cup Spicy Pecans
1 cup snap peas, sliced in half on a diagonal (Blanch snap peas for 20 seconds and then put them into an ice bath to stop the cooking process. This will make them nice and green, but they will still be crunchy.)
1 cup red pepper, diced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half
1/3 cup raisins
2 tbsp capers
sea salt, to taste
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/2 lemon, juiced

Assembling the Salad
Place all of ingredients into a bowl, except the lemon juice, and toss lightly with 4 tablespoons of vinaigrette.
Once combined, add the lemon juice, toss briefly and serve immediately.

Arugula
Arugula is a member of the cabbage family and is one of those “super” foods containing higher amounts of antioxidants compared to most lettuce greens. It’s also higher in calcium, folate, vitamin E and magnesium compared to the others. Since it’s part of the cruciferous family it’s high in a phytonutrient called glucosinolates which are compounds with strong anticancer properties.

Arugula has a shorter shelf life than most greens so choose the freshest, darkest, and most firm leaves that have very little odor. Store in a micro-perforated bag and place in your refrigerator’s crisper.

Arugula maintains most of it’s nutrition when eaten raw.

December 24, 2015

Healthy Chocolate Mousse

Filed under: enjoy the kitchen,Recipe — Vincent Alvarez @ 3:09 pm

This delicious dessert is tasty and healthy being a good source of protein, healthy fats, calcium, potassium, antioxidants, and polyphenols. There aren’t too many desserts that can claim that. So what makes it so healthy? Simple healthy ingredients!
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Making Your Own Salad Dressing

Filed under: enjoy the kitchen,Recipe — Vincent Alvarez @ 2:26 pm

So now that you’ve put together a healthy salad using dark leafy greens, like kale or spinach, grated carrots and sliced beets, it’s time to dress it with something just as healthy as your salad.

Making your own salad dressing puts you in control of the ingredients to make a fresh, healthy and tasty dressing every time. It’s simple and easy. A basic salad dressing is made up of a base, acid and a thickening agent.

Oil makes a good base and a good quality extra virgin olive oil will certainly make your dressing taste great and add lots of healthy fats. You could also try avocado oil, flax oil or hemp oil.

An acid provides flavor and brings out the flavors in other foods. It has some nourishing qualities and is good for digestion. Try using apple cider vinegar, fresh lemon juice, fresh lime juice, balsamic vinegar, coconut vinegar, brown rice vinegar, or red wine vinegar.

Thickeners are helpful with emulsifying all your ingredients together. Try using Dijon, tahini, avocado, chia seeds, ground flaxseeds, honey, or maple syrup.

A ratio of 1 part acid to 3 parts oil (or a 1 to 2 ratio) is typical however experiment with the ratios to come up with what taste good for you. Try adding herbs and spices and a pinch of salt.

Here is a favorite salad dressing of mine: A Vinaigrette Dressing

Ingredients:
1/2 cup good quality extra virgin olive oil, cold pressed
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 large clove garlic, minced (1 teaspoon)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Directions:
In a small mixing bowl add garlic, oregano, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. While using a whisk, mix vigorously for 2 to 3 minutes. Set aside for another 5 minutes so the acid from the vinegar and lemon juice can release the flavors from the oregano and garlic. Add Dijon and mix another minute or so. Next slowly pour in the olive oil while continuing to mix all the ingredients. This will allow the ingredients to combine and emulsify. Place into a jar or salad dressing shaker for storage. Shake vigorously before every use so the ingredients will combine.

By Vincent Alvarez, RDN, NSCA-CPT

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