Balti
Our newest family favorite and a twist on the classic - Balti Gosht is traditionally a lamb or goat meat dish native to Pakistan and North India, it is cooked quickly over high heat using vegetable oil and meat off the bone, as opposed to simmering meat in a curry all day slowly. The sauce is heavily spiced with garlic, onions and turmeric which are great sources of vitamins C, B6, potassium, folate, thiamin, calcium, phosphorus, copper, manganese and curcumin, this powerful combination of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants are best known to reduce inflammation in the body which helps to improve most body functions including immune support, maintaining skin and hair health, lowering HDL cholesterol (the not so good one) and blood pressure, reducing the risk of several types of cancer, and helping to improve symptoms of arthritis, Alzheimer's disease and depression.
Our spin? - I cook it in the slow cooker. That's right folks, this is a set-it-and-forget-it twist on the classic. What's not to love?
I also leave out the tomatoes. Traditionally the sauce is a tomato based sauce (which is delicious) but because of nightshade allergies in our family, tomatoes are a big NO! for us. Here is our recipe:
16oz ground lamb - or for a milder flavor - 8oz ground lamb, 8oz ground beef
3 cups chopped yellow or white onions
2 Tbs chopped garlic
2 Tbs curry powder
2 Tbs Worcestershire sauce
2 ts fresh, finely chopped ginger
1 ts salt
2 cups beef broth
Garnish with fresh cilantro and/or plain Greek yogurt (optional)
In a large skillet brown the meat then add it to the slow cooker along with everything else, stir a couple of times, set the timer according to when you are prepping and would like to eat - I usually cook this one about 6 hours but have also set it to 4 and 10 and it turned out amazing every time. The onions really start to get nice and melty at around 6 hours. Serve with rice or flat bread and enjoy this yummy winter belly warmer.
Cheers!
Our spin? - I cook it in the slow cooker. That's right folks, this is a set-it-and-forget-it twist on the classic. What's not to love?
I also leave out the tomatoes. Traditionally the sauce is a tomato based sauce (which is delicious) but because of nightshade allergies in our family, tomatoes are a big NO! for us. Here is our recipe:
16oz ground lamb - or for a milder flavor - 8oz ground lamb, 8oz ground beef
3 cups chopped yellow or white onions
2 Tbs chopped garlic
2 Tbs curry powder
2 Tbs Worcestershire sauce
2 ts fresh, finely chopped ginger
1 ts salt
2 cups beef broth
Garnish with fresh cilantro and/or plain Greek yogurt (optional)
In a large skillet brown the meat then add it to the slow cooker along with everything else, stir a couple of times, set the timer according to when you are prepping and would like to eat - I usually cook this one about 6 hours but have also set it to 4 and 10 and it turned out amazing every time. The onions really start to get nice and melty at around 6 hours. Serve with rice or flat bread and enjoy this yummy winter belly warmer.
Cheers!
Turkey Chili
This bean & turkey chili is one of the easiest and yummiest things that we eat as a family. The kids devour it by the bowlful and it is perfect after a day of working in the garden or at the barn. You can whip it up in a pot in about 30 minutes or if you are like me and love your slow cooker like another child, you can throw it in there and let it simmer away all day while you enjoy your time freedom (you can thank me later). The different types of beans provide lots of fiber and protein which are vital nutrients when it comes to maintaining a healthy body. Beans are high in folate, antioxidants, iron and vitamins that offer benefits such as the reduced risk of heart disease, producing healthy red blood cells, reducing free radicals in the body which further protects it from degenerative disease, reduced risk of cancer and they have a stabilizing effect on blood glucose. Additionally they are a low calorie way to create a feeling of fullness and satisfaction. Black beans in particular have also been found to improve gut health by increasing the number of beneficial gut bacteria.
Possibly one of the best things about this meal is that all of the ingredients can live in your pantry or freezer which makes it a perfect backup meal on busy nights.
1 can of black beans *(or 1 cup beans soaked overnight)
1 can of kidney beans *
1 can of garbanzo beans *
1 can of sweet corn or bag of frozen mixed veggies
1 medium onion diced
1 package of ground turkey
1 Tbs olive oil
1 - 32oz package of chicken broth
salt & pepper to taste
In a large skillet sauté the onions and turkey until cooked through (otherwise it will fall apart in the slow cooker and turn into a meaty broth rather than give you nice textured chunks of turkey) then add entire contents of pan to the slow cooker, add the beans, vegetables and broth, salt tt and set it for 6-8 hours. Enjoy topped with shredded cheese, diced green onions, jalapenos or tomatoes or dip your favorite garlic bread or corn bread into it to soak up the rich broth. You can also serve it over rice for a really thick, hearty meal or with a side salad for a lighter meal.
Cheers!
Possibly one of the best things about this meal is that all of the ingredients can live in your pantry or freezer which makes it a perfect backup meal on busy nights.
1 can of black beans *(or 1 cup beans soaked overnight)
1 can of kidney beans *
1 can of garbanzo beans *
1 can of sweet corn or bag of frozen mixed veggies
1 medium onion diced
1 package of ground turkey
1 Tbs olive oil
1 - 32oz package of chicken broth
salt & pepper to taste
In a large skillet sauté the onions and turkey until cooked through (otherwise it will fall apart in the slow cooker and turn into a meaty broth rather than give you nice textured chunks of turkey) then add entire contents of pan to the slow cooker, add the beans, vegetables and broth, salt tt and set it for 6-8 hours. Enjoy topped with shredded cheese, diced green onions, jalapenos or tomatoes or dip your favorite garlic bread or corn bread into it to soak up the rich broth. You can also serve it over rice for a really thick, hearty meal or with a side salad for a lighter meal.
Cheers!
Chicken & Leek Soup
This soup is a perfectly light yet flavorful balance of home cooked warmth and nourishing goodness. I learned this recipe from my dear friend and neighbor Lyla, who desperately wanted to feed my family when we first moved to the neighborhood, but was slightly intimidated by the combination of ALL of our food allergies. To her credit, she made us this soup and it instantly became one of our family favorites. Every time we make it, I am reminded of her kind and generous heart and perseverance to find a recipe that would welcome us properly.
It only has four ingredients, which makes it a a great go-to on busy nights and fairly low calorie. As with most chicken soups, it is highly nutritious and a good source of protein. The broth is full of essential fatty acids that help build and repair healthy muscle, bone, skin and blood cells. Leeks contain a variety of beneficial nutrients and plant compounds that help reduce inflammation and support heart health, promote healthy digestion and may even aid in weight maintenance or loss. So without further ado.
1 package of chicken thighs or breasts (whichever suits your preference)
2 large or 3 small leeks trimmed - only use the white parts and rinse well - slice lengthwise then dice
32oz chicken broth
salt tt
Place all ingredients into crockpot and cook for 6-8 hours, the chicken will fall apart on its own when it is finished cooking so just a gentle stir before serving is all it takes. Garnish with anything from avocado, lime and cilantro to fresh thyme and thinly sliced radishes, or even a little parsley, red pepper flakes and parmesan crumbles to make it your own. We often eat it without a garnish, fresh out of the pot with some thick sliced artisan sourdough baguette slathered with butter to sop it up, it is both light and comforting, like a warm hug from a dear friend.
Cheers!
It only has four ingredients, which makes it a a great go-to on busy nights and fairly low calorie. As with most chicken soups, it is highly nutritious and a good source of protein. The broth is full of essential fatty acids that help build and repair healthy muscle, bone, skin and blood cells. Leeks contain a variety of beneficial nutrients and plant compounds that help reduce inflammation and support heart health, promote healthy digestion and may even aid in weight maintenance or loss. So without further ado.
1 package of chicken thighs or breasts (whichever suits your preference)
2 large or 3 small leeks trimmed - only use the white parts and rinse well - slice lengthwise then dice
32oz chicken broth
salt tt
Place all ingredients into crockpot and cook for 6-8 hours, the chicken will fall apart on its own when it is finished cooking so just a gentle stir before serving is all it takes. Garnish with anything from avocado, lime and cilantro to fresh thyme and thinly sliced radishes, or even a little parsley, red pepper flakes and parmesan crumbles to make it your own. We often eat it without a garnish, fresh out of the pot with some thick sliced artisan sourdough baguette slathered with butter to sop it up, it is both light and comforting, like a warm hug from a dear friend.
Cheers!
