Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Too good Taco's (healthy shrimp taco's)


These Too Good Taco's are too good to be true! 


This idea all started a couple days ago while I was making my Briami! That's Greek for oven roasted vegetables. So I took a huge over sized zucchini from my dad's garden. This had to be the equivalent of 4 grocery store zucchini's and cubed them into 1/4in cubes. Plus 2 more zucchini from the store. I then cut 11/2 Lbs of organic carrots in 1/4in pieces. Then cubed 3 extremely large organic sweet potatoes into 1/4in cubes. I diced 3 large yellow onions and a handful of garlic. I mixed all these vegetables together into two large pans and lathered them generously with organic extra Virgin olive oil. I then seasoned them with corse salt, black pepper, McCormick's poultry seasoning, and garlic powder. They were covered and baked on 450 F for approximately and hour. Then uncovered and stirred and back in the oven till extremely tender. You want the vegetables to be tender and a little brown not burnt though. 

Ok ok I know get on with the story...

So I basically had enough Briami to feed a small country. That's what I planned on using the whole week for multiple meals. So here's what you'll need for these Shrimp Taco's

1 Lb deveined raw shrimp
Briana's Briami
1bag organic sweet corn
Favorite shredded taco cheese
Salsa
Guacamole
12oz. Greek yogurt
1 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 lemon
1/4c fresh basil diced
Salt 
Pepper
Garlic powder
McCormick's poultry seasoning
Chili powder
10-15 hard or soft shell taco's

Start by boiling a medium pot of water. While waiting for that to come to a boil mix Greek yogurt with fresh basil and olive oil. Roll your lemon around on you counter to soften it up. Then cut it in half. Squeeze half of into your yogurt mixture. Add the Rhine and the other half into your boiling water. Season your yogurt mixture to your taste with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and poultry seasoning. Set a side in refrigerator. Your water should be boiling now. Add your shrimp to the water for just a couple minutes and stir. They should change from dark blue to light pink. Remove them from the water. On your hot grill add your shrimp while they're grilling season to taste with salt, pepper, garlic powder, poultry seasoning and chili powder. Cook shrimp for another couple minutes until the shrimp are bright red. Set a side. When youre ready to eat heat your taco shells (hard or soft) at 350F for about 10 minutes. Heat your Briami and corn. Gather all your condiments (Briami, sweet corn, taco cheese, salsa, guacamole and yogurt sauce)and let everyone pig out! It's fun to be able to make your own taco at the table.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Gluten Free Stuffed Artichokes


Here's my Gluten free twist on Artichokes! Hope you like it! It's fabulous and easy to make.

Ingredients 
4 large Arichokes
2c Almond Meal
2c Romano Cheese
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 Tbls Sun Dried Tomatoe Paste
Fresh Parsley
1/8 Tsp Salt 
1/4 Tsp Pepper
1/4 Tsp McCormicks Poultry Seasoning
Organic Chicken or Vegetable Stock



Take your artichokes and clean them. Start by clipping off the little sharp nails at the end of each leaf. A scissor always works best. Cut stem off of the bottom being careful not to damage the artichoke heart. Then take the artichokes right side down and pound them against a hard surface. Doing so you will open the flower to prep it for stuffing. Fit them all in a pot with an air tight lid and pour in your stock. Turn your gas on to a medium flame, cover and let simmer. In a mixing bowl mix Almond Meal, Romano Cheese, Tomato Paste, Parsley, Salt, Pepper and Poultry Seasoning. Add approximately 4 Tbls of the Olive Oil and mix together. The mixture should feel like wet sand (you can add more oil if needed). Separate stuffing into four equal parts and stuff Artichokes. Continue to steam Artichokes making sure you always have Stock at the bottom of the pot. You will steam them for about two hours or until the leaves are tender enough to eat!

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Let's talk Turmeric!!! Turmeric Chicken with Corn and Pineapple Salsa

The unknown Indian gem; turmeric! After some severe injuries I've developed arthritis in my right hip. I was told by a loved one and then by my Dr. "Why don't you try Turmeric?" Who knew turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory. But let's not stop there because it gets way more interesting. I spoke to a beautiful Indian-American friend who enlightened me with her family's traditions of turmeric and it arose my curiosities even more. She told me to use turmeric on acne it really works. Well the reason it truly does work is because turmeric is found to have anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties! Move over proactive! While I was investigating I also found out Phytochemicals found in turmeric have been investigated in preliminary research for their potential effects on diseases,such as cancer,Alzheimer's disease,arthritisdiabetes and other clinical disorders. As an example of such basic research, turmeric reduced the severity of pancreatitis-associated lung injury in mice.
In another preliminary research example, curcumin or turmeric is being studied for whether it alters the response to chemotherapy in patients with advanced bowel cancer, as found in a laboratory study. Haldi doodh (turmeric milk) is warm milk mixed with some turmeric powder. It is commonly used in India as a home remedy when someone is suffering from fever.Turmeric paste is often used in India as an antiseptic in open wounds,while chun-holud (turmeric with slaked lime) is used to stop bleeding as home remedies. It is also used as a detanning agent in India. I've also come to learn turmeric aids in raising progesterone levels in women. Progesterone is a hormone needed in a women's body to hold a successful pregnancy. I'm sure there are many more great reasons we should all have a little turmeric in our lives! 


Turmeric Chicken Drumsticks with Corn Pineapple Salsa!

Ingredients

Chicken Ingredients
2 Lbs Free Range Drumsticks
2 C Oraganic or Fresh Squeezed OJ
Turmeric 
Garlic Powder
McCormicks Poultry Seasoning 
Salt 
Pepper

Salsa Ingredients
1 bag Organic Sweet Corn
1 Pineapple cubed
2 Red Bell Peppers Sliced and Roasted
1 bunch Green Onion diced
1/4 C Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt 
Pepper
Garlic Powder

Marinate Drumsticks in Orange Juice with all seasonings over night.

Mix together Corn, Pineapple, Red Pepper and Green Onion. Toss salad with Olive Oil. Season to taste with Salt, Pepper and Garlic Powder. Set aside in the refrigerator.

Start BBQ Grill on high and heat it up for approximately 5 mins. Then grill Drumsticks constantly basting them with Orange Juice Marinade. Add additional Turmeric when basting. Cook Drumsticks for approximately 20 mins or till Chicken is white all the way through. Serve on top of Corn Pineapple Salsa. And Enjoy!!!!
 




Summer Salad


Ingredients

1 whole pine apple
1 container fresh strawberries
2 avocados
1 bunch French green beans
Extra virgin olive oil
Balsamic glaze
Sea salt
Pepper
McCormicks poultry seasoning
Garlic powder

In boiling water steam French beans until tender. Give them a ice bath and set aside. Cube pineapple, slice strawberries and cube avocados. Mix beans, pineapple, strawberries, and avocado in a large mixing bowl. Add olive oil until completely coated. Add balsamic glaze to taste and all seasonings to taste.