Black Bean Chicken

Black Bean Drumsticks

Black Bean Chicken offers a really unique taste from a very simple marinade.   You can find these pungent, fermented Beans at oriental grocers or in the international section of your big chain stores.  Both brands below are under 4 bucks.  A little goes a long way.

Black Bean Drumsticks

You can go with the basics:  Chicken Legs, Black Beans, Tamari, Green Onions, Garlic & Ginger OR go all out and add Sesame Seed Oil, Fish Sauce, Cilantro, Citrus Zest and Heat – Jalapenos or Chili Flakes.

BlackBeanChickenIngredients

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Chinese Rice Pilaf

Chinese Rice Pilaf  and Black Bean Chicken was a HIT at a recent Pot Luck.  This one’s for you Marilyn !

The typical steamed Rice:Water  ratio is 2:1.  Pilaf is sautéed aromatic vegetables, garlic, a clove spiked bayleaf, seasonings and 1 1/2 parts Chicken Stock to 1 part Brown Basmati.  To avoid crunchy rice, I let this mixture sit for an hour.  My Korean friend Megan would freeze washed rice in zip lock bags as a shortcut.

What makes this Chinese ?  Sweet and savory Chinese Pork Sausages and Shiitake Mushrooms.  You can buy these ingredients at SuperStore, TNT or any Asian grocery store.

Chinese Pork Sausage

When my grandmother stuffed a Turkey, she would add Sausage, Mushrooms plus rehydrate dried Scallops and a wee bit of Shrimp to Glutinous Sticky Rice. Very yummy and fattening…my Father-in-Law would refer to it’s consistency as “Mud Ball”, no resemblance to Uncle Ben’s…

 

 

GF Pumpernickel Bread

My husband loves Caraway Seeds and Molasses so he gave a Thumbs Up for this GF Pumpernickel Bread.  Crusty on the outside, soft on the inside and not crumbly like most gluten-free breads.  I don’t have to use a knife or turn my toaster upside down to remove my slice intact.

Note:  The original Nature’s Fairy Recipe uses 3 Tsp of Yeast.  But if you live in higher altitudes, try 2 Tsp and don’t  “Set It and Forget It!”. Definitely don’t leave the house until you’ve safely made it past the proofing cycle, especially if you’re using a Bread Machine.  This picture shows bread made in a 9×5″ loaf pan minus a bit of batter that I lost on the bottom of the oven during proofing !

GF Pumpernickel Bread

 

 

Pumpkin Harvest Pancakes

I love Hemp Hearts ! They’re a great nut substitute high in protein, Omega 3s and other essential fats and vitamins.

I stumbled across this Pumpkin Harvest Pancakes recipe on Adam Hart’s Power of Food website. Many of his recipes feature Hemp Hearts as he credits his new found wellness to this Super Food.

WHERE TO BUY HEMP HEARTS
Check out Roger Snow’s Hemp Heart products on www.hemphearts.com/ and send your order to roger@hemphearts.com.

9 one pound tubs fit in their packages. $10 each plus shipping. I’m interested in trying the new fat reduced/high protein Hemp Heart Flakes, $11 a tub.

Seed Lover’s Granola Bars

As a kid, I loved gooey Rice Krispie Squares !

Seed Lover’s Granola Bar in silicone 8×8 pan

I adapted this recipe from the Alive magazine.

Well it’s not low fat or low cal but this bar is nutrient dense with 9 grams of Protein and rich in Magnesium.  All you need are Nut Butters, Puffed Millet and a variety of  Seeds.  They’re so addicting, I have to put them in the garage freezer for future lunch box rations.

All the ingredients for  SeedLoversGranolaBars may be found at  Bulk Barn or the bulk & natural food section at your local grocer.  If you don’t have Tahini, use Almond Butter & Peanut Butter.  If you don’t have natural Nut Butter, reduce the Honey.  If you find the Chocolate Chips & Raisins too sweet, try Chocolate Nibs and Frozen Cranberries.

Quinoa Salad

Quinoa has all the essential amino acids we need, a complete protein. So I was excited to try a Tabbouleh Salad recipe in  “Quinoa – the Everyday Superfood 365” by Patricia Green and Carolyn Hemming.

Original Tabbouleh Salad with Parsley and Mint

My daughter found their recipe was too lemon-y so I doubled the Quinoa. Everyone seemed to like it better if I omitted the Parsley and Mint too.  Instead of seeding regular Tomatoes, I simply halved Grape Tomatoes.  I added Lentils, sliced spinach or kale, colorful bell peppers, acids and spices.   Then I served the Cucumber on the side as it made the salad too soggy, even if you seeded it.

So my adaptation is simply Quinoa Salad.  Its fresh, colorful and healthy.   Best served at room temperature.