The Natural Cook

Reap the Harvest!

2010-07-28T10:04:00.000-07:00

It's garden bounty time and zucchini are abundant.. this time of year here's a creative way to use these blessings:

Garden Relish

Shred 3 to 4 zucchini (you can add carrots, radishes, yellow squash)
1 medium onion sliced very thick
1/4 cup raw apple cider vinegar or brown rice vinegar or rice vinegar
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon honey or agave nectar or maple syrup B
1 generous teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon celery salt
sea salt

Mix together and marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature or refrigerate a few hours.
Serve cold or room temperature.
Great on sandwiches, use as a side dish.

Replace the vegetable with whatever you need to use up.. cucumbers shredded or sliced, shredded beets, kohlrabi.. you get the idea.

Jo

Real food. Real Easy. Real Fun.

Summertime Sprinkle!

2010-07-09T10:35:00.000-07:00

I'm in love...

last night I toasted 3/4 cup amaranth, 3/4 cup finely shredded unsweetened coconut and 1/2 cup sunflower seeds in a 300 degree oven about 8 to 11 minutes (just until golden). I was creating a no bake peanut butter log type cookie for my sister's birthday gift.

The toasted combination was so good - I sprinkled it on the coleslaw I made for dinner; it got sprinkled on ice cream, sprinkled on yogurt and just a spoon of sprinkles was a great treat. My future plans are to add it to krispy treats, muffins, cookies.... freshly grilled fish, chicken....

So I investigated the benefits of Amaranth and it is full of protein (rivaling dairy), vitamins and mineral. The Aztecs used it as a source of energy and fortitude as equally important to them as corn and beans were to keep them alive.

Amaranth is very tiny, just a bit bigger than a poppy seed ... so hurry to the kitchen and create your summer sprinkle. (gluten free too!)

See Favorite Recipes to the right for a sprinkle treat.

Jo

Real food. Real Easy. Real Fun.

Are You Ready for the Natural Cook?

2010-06-17T12:51:00.000-07:00

If you've been thinking of ways to improve your health and take charge of your food choices, then you're ready to connect with The Natural Cook. I'm pleased to introduce you to my new blog!

My blog was fuled by enthusiastic feedback from clients who have been receiving my e-mails since they attended one of my classes. I realized that I wanted to be able to share my thoughts and cooking inpirations in a fun format that could be accessed by anyone interested in learning how to easily cook healthy meals with "natural" foods.

What's Natural? -- eliminating hormones, antibiotics, artificial sweeteners, food colors or flavorings, and other chemicals.

I will update main information on a weekly basis and add tidbits from my Test Kitchen as the inspirations come to me so that you too can be inspired to expand your taste buds in the world of natural foods. I will also share preparation tips and fun, seasonal recipes. So let's start with a summertime refreshment!

One of the most important things you can do is hydrate, hydrate, hydrate...
Skip those articial sweeteners and fructose-filled flavored waters with a Creative Cooler:

Create your own coolers with a simple formula:
Muddle together 3 tablespoons natural Florida Crystals or 1 tab FC and 1 1/2 tablespoon agave nectar with: (choose one or more)

1/4 cup basil leaves torn                 ¼ cup parsley
1 tablespoon orange zest                1 tablespoon lime zest
¼ cup mint leaves torn                   1-2 tablespoon fresh ginger grated
¼ cup chopped cucumber               1 tablespoon rosemary
1 tablespoon lemon verbena

Mix with 2 cups cold water; 2 cups ice
¼ cup your choice of freshly squeezed juice:
    Lemon
    Lime
    Mango nectar
    Pineapple juice
       (a great way to use the pineapple skin if you trim your own – squeeze for juice)