Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Healthy breakfast

Mangu
 
Dominican Breakfast: Mangu with a side of bacon, scramble eggs and cafe con leche ( coffee and cream.) 

Mangu
Servings: 2
Ingredients:
2 green plantains, peeled
3 cups water
1 tablespoon butter
1 tsp Sazon Goya con Azafran ( with saffron)
4'tsp mojo
4 -6 pieces turkey bacon, baked and crumble.

Directions:
1
To peel plantains, cut off ends then cut in the middle or into thirds if very large. Then make a slice through lengthwise, from cut end, to cut end. Make another slice a quarter of the way around and then peel off that piece. I often make 3 -4 cuts equidistant around then peel them off with the side of the knife. They should just pop off.
2
Boil the plantains with butter and Sazon Goya until tender (like potatoes). Drain and reserve the broth. Mash plantains, adding reserved water broth plus,  bacon fat until they look like mashed potatoes.
3
In meantime while boiling plantains, baked  the bacon and drain on paper towels. crumbled up 4 pieces of bacon if desired. Used other pieces of bacon to served on the side.
4
Transfer mangu to plate and top with mojo. Served with a side of bacon and scramble eggs.

Monday, July 28, 2014

Healthy breakfast



 Cuban breakfast. Steam yuca with garlic mojo sauce, slice tomatoes and some calabasitas with a fried egg. Delicious!!!!! Very healthy and low carb. Low on the glycemic index for us diabetics. Always remember to eat in moderation (portions)

FYI: The glycemic index is a rating system that can help diabetics predict how different foods will affect their blood sugar levels. Cassava has a low glycemic index of 46, which means that it is less likely than some foods to cause a rapid rise in blood glucose levels. If you are diabetic, cassava could be a healthier choice than white potatoes, which have a high glycemic index of 85, according to DietAndFitnessToday.

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Healthy Eating

Summer squash stuff with chili and cheese
Take your leftover chili and create a new healthy dish.
One large summer squash cut in half, seed removed, then stuff with your leftover chili and top with your favorite cheese put in a 425 oven and Cooked for about  one hour, or until squash is tender to the touch. Enjoy!!!!

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Healthy Eating

Healthy eating


Recipe: Chayote Au Gratin
5 large chayote
4 large tomato
1 1/4 large onion slice
Salt and pepper to taste
1 garlic clove
Dash red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper to taste
1 or 2 bags of grated Mexican cheese
Top with parsley or basil.
Direction:
1-  peel chayotes and cut each one in half to removed the seed. Then slice them diagonally, 
  In a sauce pan bring salted water to a boil, add chayotes, garlic and some slice onions for flavor, and cook till al dente
2- slice tomatoes ( round) set aside
3 slice onions and sauté with red pepper flakes, salt and freshly ground pepper.
4 - in a casserole layer the cool chayotes, tomatoes, onions, and cheese. 
5 repeat till fully assemble, then sprinkle with remaining cheese and some parsley or basil.
 6- baked at 375 degrees for 30 minutes. Served hot.
Tip: side dishes: toss salad, roast chicken or lamb.
Other names for chayotes, chocho, vegetable pear, christophene, and mirlton.




Saturday, July 5, 2014

Healthy eating

Steam Herb-Talapia with fresh Bing Cherry Relish


Steam Herb-Talapia with fresh Bing Cherry Relish
5 Talapia fillets
1/2 tsp salt
Pinch roasted chipotle powder
1 cup water
2 cups fresh bing cherries (pitted and halved)
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 red bell pepper thinly slice 
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup cilantro + some sprigs
1 sprig of  dill
1 sprig of  fresh tarragon 
1/2 lemon
1 white onion dice
3 tbsp olive oil
3/4 cup red quinoa
11/2 cup water
1 tsp Dijon mustard
Directions:
Season Talapia with salt, freshly ground black pepper, chipotle powder and a few drops of fresh lemon juice. Let marinate for an hour. In large skillet combine one garlic clove, fresh tarragon, dill, cilantro ( not chop) and one cup water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer, place fish in sauce pan and cook about 3 minutes or until you see fish turn opaque.
In a separate sauce pan, sauté in olive oil onions, remaining garlic, bell peppers, and cilantro. Then add the cherries, balsamic vinegar, mustard, and lemon. Mix well and let it simmer for five minutes. In a small pot combine quinoa and 11/2 cup water or chicken broth a pinch of salt and bring to boil. Reduce heat to a simmer cover and cook until to all liquid is absorb for about 15 minutes. When done, the grain appears soft and translucent, and the germ ring will be visible.
Plating: spread grain on a platter or plate, place Talapia on to of grains, then spoon the cherry relish over fish. Serve hot. Yummy!!!

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Chicken cacciatore with zucchini ribbons

Ingredients
4 chicken thighs
2 chicken breasts with skin and backbone, halved crosswise
2 teaspoons salt, plus more to taste
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
1/2 cup all purpose flour, for dredging
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 large red bell pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
3/4 cup dry white wine
1 ( 28-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice
3/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
3 tablespoons drained capers
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves
1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh basil leaves
Directions
Sprinkle the chicken pieces with 1 teaspoon of each salt and pepper. Dredge the chicken pieces in the flour to coat lightly.

In a large heavy saute pan, heat the oil over a medium-high flame. Add the chicken pieces to the pan and saute just until brown, about 5 minutes per side. If all the chicken does not fit in the pan, saute it in 2 batches. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside. Add the bell pepper, onion and garlic to the same pan and saute over medium heat until the onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add the wine and simmer until reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes with their juice, broth, capers and oregano. Return the chicken pieces to the pan and turn them to coat in the sauce. Bring the sauce to a simmer. Continue simmering over medium-low heat until the chicken is just cooked through, about 30 minutes for the breast pieces, and 20 minutes for the thighs.

Using tongs, transfer the chicken to a platter. If necessary, boil the sauce until it thickens slightly, about 3 minutes. Spoon off any excess fat from atop the sauce. Spoon the sauce over the chicken, then sprinkle with the basil and serve.







Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Salads


Mango, cucumber, black beets, ( taste like radish) tomatoes, red wine and olive oil vinaigrette.
Tip for diabetics: make sure you used a vinaigrette that only have 1 gram sugar or less.

Tomatoes, avocados, onions, capers, salt, freshly ground black pepper, lemon, and olive oil.