Harira Soup

  • PREP TIME: 20 MINUTES
  • COOK TIME: 40 MINUTES
  • TOTAL TIME: 1 HOUR
  • YIELD: 6-8 SERVINGS (or 10 cups)

DESCRIPTION

Harira is hearty, full of protein and loaded with nutrients.  This healthy one-pot meal is deeply flavorful due to warming the fragrant spices. You can easily adapt this to gluten-free and vegan if you desire. I found this recipe on feastingathome.com and it’s oh, so flavorful!

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 stalks of celery, inner leaves are fine, chopped small
  • 4 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dried ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4-1/2 teaspoon cayenne
  • 6 cups broth, vegetable or chicken or water
  • 1 28 ounce canned, whole or crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cinnamon stick (or 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon)
  • a tiny pinch of saffron (optional)
  • 1-2 teaspoons sea salt (see note)
  • 1/2 cup red lentils, dry
  • 1/2 cup brown or green lentils, dry
  • 1 1/2 cups (1 15- ounce can) chickpeas (garbanzo beans) cooked
  • 2 teaspoons honey (if needed)
  • 1/4 pound capellini pasta, broken into approximately 1-inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup chopped cilantro, stems are great
  • 1/2 cup parsley

Serve with lemon wedges, a swirl of yogurt (if desired) and dates on the side.

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Saute onions for 5 minutes in olive oil, over medium heat.
  2. Add celery, garlic, ginger, pepper, turmeric, cumin, smoked paprika and cayenne.  Stir for another minute.  Sautéing the spices allows them to bloom and deepen in flavor.
  3. Add broth, tomatoes, cinnamon sticks, saffron, salt, red lentils, brown lentils, half of the cilantro and half of the parsley.  Bring to a simmer, cover with a vented lid, for 30 minutes.
  4. Add Chickpeas and pasta cook 5-10 minutes more.  (see notes)
  5. Add honey and remaining fresh herbs.

NOTES

If you plan to save the soup for eating later or freeze it, cook the pasta separately and add it in per serving.  Especially good for some of the gluten-free varieties of pasta that tend to break down more easily.

Salt will depend on the broth used and the amount in canned chickpeas- so salt to taste.

Variations: Throw in chard, kale, spinach or other greens. Use cooked rice instead of pasta. Use orzo pasta instead of broken capellini. Add seared lamb, beef, or chicken.

NUTRITION

  • Serving Size: 1 1/4 cups
  • Calories: 261
  • Sugar: 6.2 g
  • Sodium: 340.2 mg
  • Fat: 5.6 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.9 g
  • Carbohydrates: 41.9 g
  • Fiber: 7.2 g
  • Protein: 13.2 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

Overnight Apple Cinnamon Chia Pudding

Craving something sweet? Or maybe looking for an easy breakfast on the go… try this Apple Cinnamon Chia Pudding recipe. I found it when Armando and I were on our annual cleanse after the holiday indulging.

This tastes like you are indulging but it is a gluten free treat packed with fiber, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and various micronutrients that our bodies need. I call it yummy.

Apple Cinnamon Chia Pudding

• 1/3 cup chia seeds

• 1/2 tsp Ceylon cinnamon

• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 cup light coconut milk (or water)

• 1 medium chopped apple (chopped fresh or slightly sauteed in coconut oil)

In a bowl combine chia seeds, cinnamon, vanilla, and coconut milk. Leave in the fridge overnight stirring once after 10 minutes. In the morning add chopped apple, a pinch or two more of cinnamon. Have in between meals as a sweet snack or to satisfy a craving.

Other topping options (swap out the apples):

Coconut Chia Seed Pudding Topping Suggestions

• Citrusy Coconut Chia Pudding. Add ½ teaspoon lemon zest or orange zest.

• Berry Coconut Chia Pudding. Top with fresh blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries. This combo is especially tasty with lemon or orange zest.

• Chocolate Coconut Chia Pudding. Top your coconut pudding with mini chocolate chips.

• Vegan Coconut Chia Pudding. Use pure maple syrup instead of honey.

• Add Some Crunch. Top your pudding with toasted coconut flakes, granola, or toasted nuts.

• Coconut Chia Jam Pudding. Top with 1 tablespoon of your favorite jam.

Carrot Spice Smoothie

This delicious shake reminds me of carrot cake only it’s a whole lot more nutritious and guilt-free!  I found it in the Standard Process 1 Degree of Change Cookbook. 

Ingredients

1 cup fresh carrot juice

1/2 inch fresh ginger, grated with a micro plane grater

1/2-1 banana, frozen

Pinch of ground cinnamon

2 scoops of SP Complete

1 handful of spinach (optional but I like to sneak in more greens!)

Instructions

Purée all of the ingredients in a blender until smooth. 

Pour into your favorite glass and Enjoy!  

Nutritious AND delicious!

Peruvian Quinoa Soup with Cilantro & Avocado

 Servings: 6

INGREDIENTS

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium-large red onion finely chopped
4 chopped serrano chilies, finely chopped (reserving a bit for garnish)
4 garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon coriander, freshly toasted and ground
1 cup white quinoa
6 cups low sodium chicken stock
1  bunch cilantro, chopped (reserving a few sprigs for garnish)
juice of 3 limes (or to taste)
1 avocado, sliced

INSTRUCTIONS

Heat the oil and over low heat saute the onions, garlic, and chiles. Sauté until they’re soft, about three minutes.

Add the ground coriander, stir, and then add the quinoa.

Toast quinoa for a minute or so, stirring as you do. Add chicken stock and cook on low -medium until the quinoa is tender (approximately 15-20 minutes). It will absorb a lot of broth, so plan on adding more broth or water to get the consistency just right.

Taste. Play with salt, lime, and serrano until the balance is to your taste. 

Top with avocado and cilantro and enjoy this lovely, healthy soup!

Green never tasted so good!

Tex Mex Dressing

Try this easy creamy avocado dressing. It will soon become one of your go to favorites!

Ingredients

1 avocado

80 ml or 1/2 cup water (more to adjust the consistency)

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon lime juice

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/4 teaspoon cumin

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Process

Pit the avocado and place in a blender. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend until smooth.

Pour over your favorite salad. (I like, shredded romaine lettuce, grated carrots, diced tomatoes, diced red onions, street corn (frozen from Trader Joe’s), chopped cilantro and some pepita seeds (also called pumpkin seeds).

Yellow Squash and Onions

Here’s an easy and healthy weeknight side dish that’s packed with flavor but only needs a few ingredients. Pair it with your favorite chicken or fish dish.

Serving : 2

Ingredients

2 yellow squash (1/2 in slices)

1/2 small onion 

Sprinkle of dried thyme

Sprinkle of red pepper flakes

Splash of Olive oil 

Instructions

Wash the produce.

Slice the squash into 1/2 inch coins and slice onion into 1/2 inch rings. 

Toss in a bowl with olive oil and herbs

Lay in a single layer on a foil lined pan and roast at 375 degrees for 20 minutes or until slightly browned.

Serve and enjoy!

Gardener’s Ratatouille

Here’s a fresh and tasty way to use up the midsummer garden surplus of zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes and peppers.  

Servings: 8 cups

Ingredients

  • 4 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 cup onions diced (approx I medium onion)
  • 2 cloves garlic minced (approx 2 tsp)
  • 1 cup bell pepper (any color)
  • 2 cups zucchini and/oe yellow squash large diced
  • 2 cups eggplant, diced
  • 3 cups fresh tomatoes chopped
  • 3 Tbsp fresh herbs, chopped (parsley, basil and oregano)
  • salt and pepper to taste (roughly 1 tsp each)

Instructions

  • In a large saute skillet, heat  olive oil over medium high heat. Add the onions and saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. 
  • Add the remaining vegetables and garlic. Cover, reduce heat simmer 30 minutes or until veggies are cooked thru. A
  • Stir in the fresh herbs and season with salt and pepper. Simmer uncovered for an additional 5-10 minutes.  (Don’t overcook).
  • Garnish  with more fresh herbs as desired and Enjoy!  

Baja Quinoa Salad for Two

Baja Quinoa Salad

yield: 2 PEOPLE prep time: 30-40 MINUTES

Great for a healthy and refreshing lunch!  I sometimes, double or triple it for an outdoor barbecue with friends and family.  This is a festive south of the border twist on a traditional quinoa salad.  It’s also great served with grilled sliced chicken tossed in. 

INGREDIENTS

CUMIN-LIME VINAIGRETTE

  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 1  tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1  tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1-2 garlic cloves (minced or pressed)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • Pinch crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

SALAD

  • 1 cup cooked quinoa
  • 1 cup shredded cooked chicken breast (optional)
  • 1/2 red pepper, 1/4 inch diced
  • 2 green onions, sliced (white and about 1/2 of the green part)
  • 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro (plus a few sprigs for garnish)
  • 1 avocado, thinly sliced (optional)
  • lime wedges for spritzing
  • salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS 

CUMIN LIME VINAIGRETTE

  • In a blender or food processor, combine all the dressing ingredients.
  • Blend until combined and smooth.

This recipe makes almost 1 cup of dressing so you will have extra. Leftover dressing stays great in the fridge for a few days! Store it in a sealed container.

SALAD

  • Cook the quinoa and allow to cool*
  • Add the chopped ingredients (and shredded chicken if including)
  • Drizzle with 2-4 tablespoons of the vinaigrette and toss. Taste and add a little more as you like.
  • Refrigerate the salad for 15-20 minutes if you can, as this allows the flavors to meld together.
  • Serve the salad on small plates or in bowls.
  • Top with the sliced avocados and fresh cilantro sprig.
  • Garnish with a lime wedge. 

Enjoy!

*   One cup of dry quinoa yields about three cups of cooked quinoa.  I often make more than I need as it stores well in the fridge for several days and can be added to other recipes to add additional protein and fiber.

SP’s Taco Seasoning Mix

This recipe can be used to season 1 1b of ground protein of your choice. I make 3-4 batches at a time and put it into it’s own container to speed up the dinner preparation process. It’s so much healthier than grabbing a pre-packaged taco seasoning from the grocery store as they often include large amounts of salt and other ingredients like sugar and cornstarch. I use 3-4 T of the mixed seasoning for 1 lb. of ground beef or chicken.

Ingredients

2 T chili powder (some stores offer chili powder blends but I recommend the pure form for this recipe)

2 tsp cumin

2 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

Combine all the ingredients in a ziplock plastic bag and shake until thoroughly mixed. To make taco meat, cook the ground meat (chicken, turkey or beef) until almost fully cooked. Add seasoning mix and cook for a minute or two more or until desired consistency.

Talapia with Lemon Pepper Butter

Ingredients

For fish…

2-3 fillets of Talapia

1/4 cup flour (I like cassava flour- gluten free and grain free)

A few shakes of lemon pepper and salt

For the sauce…

1/2 stick butter, softened

Zest of one lemon

1 T fresh Italian parsley, chopped

3/4 tsp lemon pepper

1/4 tsp sea salt (or to taste)

Process:

Prepare the sauce:

Melt the butter in a small saucepan. Add lemon zest, parsley, lemon pepper and sea salt and set aside.

Prepare the fish:

Place the flour in a dish with flat bottom such as a pie tin. Season the flour with salt and pepper.Dredge fish in flour mixture to coat both sides.

Heat a large skillet. Add 2 T olive oil to the pan and sauté fish 3-4 minutes per side or until fish is golden brown and crispy on outside and opaque inside.

Drizzle with pan sauce and serve immediately.