Fitness Food and You

I will be trying this NY Times recipe this Thanksgiving. I love the nuttiness of wild rice, love that you can make it a few days in advanced AND it seems like an interesting alternative to bread stuffing. (Also a great gluten free option!)  You can stuff the turkey or serve as a side dish. 

ingredients

• 1 ½ quarts chicken stock, turkey stock or vegetable stock
• 2 cups wild rice
•  Salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion or 4 shallots, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• ¾ pound mushrooms, trimmed and sliced
• 1 cup chopped celery
• ⅓ cup toasted almonds, coarsely chopped
• ⅓ cup dry sherry
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage, to taste
•  Black pepper, to taste

directions

1. Bring stock to a boil in a large saucepan, then add wild rice and salt to taste. When the liquid returns to the boil, lower heat, cover and simmer 40 minutes, until rice is tender and has begun to splay. Drain through a strainer, and set aside.
2. Heat oil over medium heat in a large nonstick skillet, then add onion or shallots. Cook, stirring often, until tender, about five minutes for onions or three minutes for shallots. Add a generous pinch of salt and the garlic. Cook until fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute. Add mushrooms and celery and cook, stirring, until mushrooms have softened, about 10 minutes. Stir in rice and remaining ingredients. Cook, stirring, until sherry has evaporated. Taste and adjust seasonings.
3. Remove from the heat, and allow to cool before stuffing your turkey. Or place in an oiled baking dish and cover, then warm for 20 to 30 minutes in a 350-degree oven.

(recipe found on https://cooking.nytimes.com/)

This chili is amazing!! I added a small piece of chopped chorizo into the onions, which really spiced things up nicely!!! A perfect dish for this cooler weather.

ingredients

2 T olive oil, divided

1 lb. ground turkey or chicken

2 t chili powder

1 t each ground cumin and dried oregano

½ t sea salt

1 large yellow onion, chopped

2 cups stemmed and chopped kale

4 scallions, chopped light and dark green parts divided

1 stalk celery, chopped

1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

1, 15-oz can cannellini or great northern beans, drained and rinsed

directions

In a Dutch oven on medium-high, heat ½ teaspoon oil. Add turkey, chili powder, cumin, oregano and salt and cook, breaking up the turkey with a spoon, until no longer pink, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer turkey mixture to a plate and set aside.

In same Dutch oven still on medium-high, heat remaining 1½ teaspoon oil. Add yellow onion, kale, light parts of scallion, celery, jalapeno,  and garlic and cook, stirring, until softened 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in turkey mixture, broth and beans. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook, stirring, until heated through and slightly thickened, 1 to 2 minutes.

Divide among bowls and sprinkle with dark green parts of scallion.

(recipe found on https://www.cleaneatingmag.com/)

This is a PERFECT chicken recipe for the fall! 

ingredients

1 large sweet potato, peeled and cubed

2 apples, sliced

2 tbsp. olive oil, divided

1 tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary

kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, trimmed

2/3 cup apple cider

2 tbsp. honey

1 tbsp. Grainy mustard

1 tbsp. butter

3 rosemary sprigs, for skillet

directions

Preheat oven to 425°. In a medium bowl, add potatoes, apples and chopped rosemary and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and toss until combined.

In a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat, heat remaining olive oil. Add chicken and sear, skin side down, until golden, about 2 minutes. Remove chicken from heat while you make the glaze.

To the same skillet, add apple cider, honey and grainy mustard. Bring mixture to a rapid simmer and cook until mixture has reduced slightly then whisk in the butter. Return the chicken to the skillet, skin side up, and scatter the sweet potato mixture and rosemary sprigs around the chicken. Turn off the heat and transfer the entire skillet to the oven.

Bake until the sweet potatoes are tender and the chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes. (If potatoes need longer to cook, transfer chicken to a cutting board to rest and continue cooking until tender.)

(recipe found on delish.com)

Here is a different way to enjoy Brussels sprouts. A lovely Fall salad with gorgeous colors!!

ingredients

4 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

4 tbsp. lemon juice

¼ c. freshly chopped parsley

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

2 lb. Brussels sprouts, halved and thinly sliced (about 8 cups)

½ c. chopped toasted almonds

½ c. pomegranate seeds

Shaved Parmesan, for serving

ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk olive oil, lemon juice, parsley, 1 ½ teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper until combined. Add Brussels sprouts and toss until completely coated. Let sit, tossing occasionally, for at least 20 minutes and up to 4 hours before serving.

Fold in almonds and pomegranate seeds and garnish with shaved Parmesan before serving.

(adapted from a recipe found on https://www.delish.com)