Today’s blustery weather Is a tell-tale sign that fall is in full force. And such seasonal changes have a way of putting me in the mood for some of my favorite festive foods! Unfortunately, I am presently restricted to a competition prep diet, which, though temporary and extreme, affords zero room for these healthy and savory delights. So though I will restrict myself to “cook and smell only” for the next few weeks (and I mean ONLY the next few weeks), I have a hungry hubby who is more than happy to pull up a chair and offer his appetite for the both of us. I hope there are others out there who will try these home-crafted favorites and enjoy them in my honor as well!
SWEET HARVEST CHILI
INGREDIENTS: apprx 1lb ground turkey breast, chopped carrots, 1 apple (peeled & chopped), 2 cans dark red kidney beans, 2 cans diced tomatoes, 1 can tomato sauce, 1 16oz jar salsa, 1/2 cup Sucanat (I get mine at FredMeyer), 2-3 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp chili powder, 2 tsp cinnamon, 1-2 tsp nutmeg, celtic sea salt to taste.
METHOD: heat 2 Tbsp olive oil in large stock pot, and combine ground turkey, carrots, apples, kidney beans (I do not drain or rinse mine- straight out of the can into the pot), minced garlic and spices. Stir and cook on med-high heat until turkey is cooked through. Add remaining ingredients- tomatoes and tomato sauce, salsa, and sucanat. Heat up til bubbling, then reduce heat to low and simmer 25-30min.
SOUR VANILLA FLAX-BREAD
INGREDIENTS: 1 1/4 cup spelt flour, 3/4 cup flax meal, 1/3 cup sucanat, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, 1 egg, lightly beaten, 1 cup vanilla kefir (I used the Helios brand from FredMeyer), 1 tsp pure vanilla, 2.5 Tbsp coconut oil (melted)
METHOD: Preheat oven to 400°F, and lightly grease an 8-inch square baking dish. Mix together dry ingredients in one bowl, and egg, vanilla kefir, pure vanilla, and coconut oil in a separate bowl. Combine the two until dry mixture is just moistened. Pour into the prepared baking dish and bake until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. (apprx 25-35 min)
Note: Kefir is a wonderful cultured dairy beverage that is similar to yogurt but with a runnier consistency. Highly digestible and nutritious, it offers an exceptionally high probiotic and live culture count. Available in a few different flavors, it makes a fantastic smoothie base!! If you haven’t yet tried it, go ahead and give Kefir a shot;-)
Looks great…we will have to try them both! Thanks…
Thanks for the tasty ideas. Will be trying them soon.