Sweet Potato Hash with Lamb Sausage

Sweet Potato Hash with Lamb Sausage

Brunch is one of my absolute favorite meals tohost, and this dish is a hit every time I serve it. The key is thinly slicingthe onions and leaving them in half rings so that they caramelize perfectly andcreate an amazing texture. You can use any type of sausage, but I much preferusing lamb. Not only does it have an impressive nutritional profile, but italso lends rich, complex flavors and blends perfectly with the sweetness of thegarnet yams.
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Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Squeeze the lamb out of its casing into a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat.
  • As it cooks, break the lamb into small pieces with a spatula and sauté until it begins to brown, about 4 minutes.
  • If using a leaner sausage, such as chicken, you may need to add some grapeseed or sunflower oil to the pan.
  • With a slotted spoon, transfer the sausage to a bowl.
  • Add the onion to the skillet and sauté until it begins to caramelize, 4 to 5 minutes.
  • Drizzle in sunflower oil as needed.
  • Add the mushrooms and garlic and cook until softened, about three minutes.
  • Stir in the yams, kale, thyme, oregano, sage, salt, and pepper and return the sausage to the skillet.
  • Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the yams can be easily pierced with a fork.
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Course; Breakfast / Lamb

Breakfast Rice with Crumbled Nori

Breakfast Rice with Crumbled Nori

A recipe that naturopath Dr. Katherine Oldfieldgives her patients inspired this quick and easy breakfast. It also happens tobe a great way to clean out the refrigerator when you have leftover rice andsoon-to-expire veggies in the produce bin. Anything goes in this breakfastsauté, so don’t be afraid to add more vegetables and a different combination ofnuts and seeds. It’s also delightful when topped with a poached egg or someleftover salmon.
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Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon raw sesame seeds
  • 2 teaspoons coconut oil
  • 2 cloves garlic crushed
  • 1 shallot chopped
  • 6 cremini or button mushrooms chopped
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 cup roughly chopped kale
  • 1½ cups cooked brown rice leftover rice works great!
  • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
  • 2 teaspoons mirin
  • ¼ cup chopped raw cashews
  • 2 tablespoons crumbled nori

Instructions

  • Place a large sauté pan over medium heat.
  • Add the sesame seeds to quickly toast until lightly browned, about 1 minute.
  • Add the oil, garlic, and shallot and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and fragrant, 3 to 4 minutes.
  • Add the mushrooms and salt and sauté until tender, about 3 minutes.
  • Fold in the kale and continue stirring until it starts to wilt, 3 to 4 minutes.
  • Stir in the rice, sesame oil, and mirin and cook until the rice is heated through, about 2 minutes.
  • Top with the cashews and nori.
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Course; Breakfast / Rice

Smoked Salmon and Avocado Tartine

Smoked Salmon and Avocado Tartine

There’s nothing like a savory open-faced sandwichafter a long red-eye flight from coast to coast. I was nearly falling asleep inmy latte at a French café in New York City, when I spotted a breakfast tartineamidst all the crepes and croissants on the menu. I felt myself come back tolife as I polished off the tartine, and it inspired me to think up an endlesscombination of sandwich ingredients that would be suitable for breakfast.
If this breakfast canresurrect a person with severe jet lag, imagine what it will do for the averageearly riser. I refer to this tartine as the breakfast of champions because it’sthe perfect combination of carbohydrate, protein, and healthy fat.
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Ingredients

Instructions

  • Scoop the avocado into a medium bowl.
  • Add the lime juice, cumin, and salt and mash with a fork until the ingredients are well combined but the mixture is still chunky.
  • Arrange 4 bread pieces on each serving plate.
  • Spread a layer of avocado mixture on each piece.
  • Top with ½ ounce salmon.
  • Stack some sprouts on the salmon and garnish with radish slices.

Notes & Wine Advice

Salmon is an excellent source of anti-inflammatory omega-3s. Avocados are loaded with specific phytonutrients that block the inflammatory response and can decrease arthritic symptoms
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Course; Breakfast / Fish / Quiche

Breakfast Burrito with Chickpeas and Avocado

Breakfast Burrito with Chickpeas and Avocado

If you find yourself in a time crunch, andcooking in the morning is out of the question, this is the ideal savorybreakfast. The chickpea-avocado combo makes a delicious burrito filling, andyou can amp up the nutritional profile by adding your favorite greens. The sunflowerseeds provide some crunch and a little extra protein. If you have leftoverfilling, you can have it for breakfast the next morning or use it as a dip. Theavocado will discolor, but the taste will be just fine.
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Ingredients

Instructions

  • Put the chickpeas in a medium mixing bowl.
  • Scoop the avocado into the bowl.
  • Add the lemon juice, salt, cumin, and turmeric.
  • Mash the mixture with a fork until the avocado is well incorporated.
  • Allow some of the chickpeas to remain whole.
  • Stir in the sunflower seeds.
  • Just before serving, sprinkle the tortillas with water and heat in the microwave for 20 seconds.
  • Scoop half of the chickpea mixture into the center of each tortilla.
  • Top with the arugula and roll up the tortillas like burritos.

Notes & Wine Advice

The unique combination of healthy fats and phytosterols in avocados are what make them one of the top anti-inflammatory fruits. They are particularly useful in cooling down inflammation related to arthritis.
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Course; Breakfast

Almond-Lemon Coated Fish with Spinach

Almond-Lemon Coated Fish with Spinach

This is an elegant dinner dish with tasty a great tasting greens on the side.
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Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 lb. of cod or halibut cut into 4 slices
  • 1/2 cup of sliced almonds chopped coarsely
  • 1 tbsp. chopped finely fresh dill or 1 tsp. dried
  • 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil plus 2 tsp. divided
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt divided
  • 4 tsp. Dijon mustard
  • 2 garlic cloves slivered
  • 1 lb. of baby spinach
  • Freshly ground pepper to taste
  • Lemon zest and juice of 1 lemon divided
  • Lemon wedges for garnish

Instructions

  • Pre heat your oven to 400° F.
  • Spray your rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.
  • In a small bowl, combine the almonds, lemon zest, dill, the 1 tablespoon of oil, and ½ teaspoon of the salt and pepper.
  • Arrange the fish in your baking sheet.
  • Spread each slice with 1 teaspoon of mustard.
  • Divide the almond mix into 4 parts and spread into the mustard spread.
  • Bake the fish for about 7-9 minutes, until the fish is opaque.
  • In the meantime, heat the remaining 2 teaspoon of oil in a skillet.
  • Add in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring, until fragrant but not browned.
  • Add in the spinach, lemon juice, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of the salt; then season with the pepper.
  • Cook for about 2-4 minutes, frequently stirring, until the spinach is wilted.
  • The spinach may turn yellowish.
  • Don’t worry; it’s because of the lemon.
  • The taste will still be great.
  • Cover to keep warm.
  • Garnish the spinach with lemon wedges, if desired, and serve with the fish.
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Course; Fish / Main Course

Pan-Seared Chicken with Almond-Roasted Tomato

Pan-Seared Chicken with Almond-Roasted Tomato Pesto

When I am tired from a long days work, I just pan fry some chicken and serve it with the microwaved almond-roasted tomato pesto I keep in the freezer, just for fast dinner meals.
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Ingredients

Pan Seared Chicken

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
  • 1 tsp. of kosher salt divided
  • 1 tsp. of fresh ground black pepper divided
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • 2 tsp. parmesan cheese grated (optional)

Roasted Tomato-Almond Pesto

  • 3/4 cup of blanched slivered or sliced almonds
  • 3/4 cup fresh basil leaves lightly packed
  • 1 can 28 oz. of fire-roasted diced tomatoes, plus 1 can (14 oz.), drained*
  • 1 tbsp. of red wine vinegar plus 1 tsp. divided
  • 3/4 cup of olive oil extra-virgin
  • 3/4 cup of Parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. red pepper crushed

Instructions

Pan Seared Chicken

  • Tenderize the chicken breasts by pounding the meat with a rolling pin or a meat mallet.
  • This will ensure that the meat will have a uniform thickness.
  • Season the chicken with the salt and the pepper.
  • Heat the skillet on medium high heat.
  • Add the olive oil.
  • When the skillet is well heated, put in the chicken breasts and sear on high heat.
  • Cook for about 2 minutes, until lightly brown, and then turn to the other side.
  • Continue cooking until brown.
  • Optional: You can sprinkle grated cheese on the chicken and then broil for about 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese melts, before serving.

Roasted Tomato-Almond Pesto

  • In a large skillet, toast the almonds on medium heat for about 3-5 minutes, frequently stirring, until golden and fragrant.
  • Allow to slightly cool and then transfer to the food processor.
  • Process until the nuts are finely ground.
  • Add in the tomatoes, the vinegar, the basil, and the pepper, and then process.
  • While you keep the processor running, drizzle in the oil in a single, steady stream.
  • Stir in the parmesan cheese and the salt.

Notes & Wine Advice

You can use toasted fresh tomatoes. Get about 3 lb. of fresh plum tomatoes. Cut them into quarters and divide them between 2 large baking sheets. Roast for about 30 minutes at 400° F. You can make the sauce ahead of time and store it in an airtight container where it will last for 3 days or you can freeze it for up to 3 months.
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Course; Chicken / Nuts

Almond-Coated Pork with homemade Honey-Mustard Sauce

Almond-Coated Pork with homemade Honey-Mustard Sauce

(makes 4 servings) This fork fingers for dinner is very delicious dipped in the honey-mustard sauce. Plus I can cook the pork quickly since I slice the meat thinly
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Ingredients

Instructions

  • Prepare the oven by preheating to 425° F.
  • Place a wire rack on a baking sheet and then coat it with cooking spray.
  • Put the almonds, bread crumbs, garlic powder, the salt, and the pepper in the food processor and pulse the mix until the almonds are chopped coarsely.
  • Transfer in a shallow dish.
  • Put the egg white in a different shallow dish.
  • Dip each pork slices in the egg white, coating both sides and then coat evenly with the almond mix.
  • Place the almond-coated pork on your prepared rack, and then coat both sides of the coated pork with cooking spray.
  • Bake the almond-coated pork for about 16-18 minutes, until the center is no longer pink and golden brown.
  • In the meantime, whisk the soy sauce, honey, and the mustard in a bowl.
  • Serve the almond-coated pork with the sauce.

Notes & Wine Advice

You can just make your own bread crumbs if you like. Trim the crusts from the firm whole-wheat sandwich bread. Tear into pieces and then put in a food processor. Process until the bread becomes coarse crumbs. Spread the crumbs in a baking sheet and then bake for about 15 minutes at 250° F, or until crispy and dry. A slice usually makes about 1/3 cup of breadcrumbs.
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Course; Nuts / Pork

Spaghetti with Almond Parsley Pesto

Spaghetti with Almond Parsley Pesto

When the whole family wants somethingdelicately delectable for dinner, then I can just easily prepare this crunchyAlmond Parsley Pesto Spaghetti with a pinot grigio from Alto Adige andVernaccia di San Gimignano from Tuscany.
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Ingredients

Instructions

  • Put the garlic, parsley, and salt in the food processor and puree.
  • Keep the processor running.
  • Slowly add in the olive oil in thin stream.
  • Pour in the almonds and then pulse to chop.
  • Stir in the grated parmesan cheese, if using.
  • Set aside.
  • Cook the spaghetti according to the instructions in the package.
  • Drain spaghetti, reserving 1/2 cup spaghetti water.
  • Pour in 1/4 of the reserved spaghetti water, then the pesto, and the tomatoes.
  • Is the sauce is too thick for you then just add more of the reserved pasta water.

Notes & Wine Advice

You can stir in 1/4 cup of grated parmesan in the almond parsley pesto after the nuts have been chopped. My two boys love theirs with cheese so I divide the pesto into two parts, and mixed cheese for their half of the spaghetti. You can also substitute the almond nuts with pine nuts in the pesto for a more traditional taste.
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Course; Nuts / Pasta

Pan-Seared Chicken with Herbed Bacon Quinoa Almonds

Pan-Seared Chicken with Herbed Bacon Quinoa Almonds

I toast the almonds first, and while the quinoa is cooking over low heat; I pan-fry the chicken in a skillet. This pair is a very filling dinner after a long day at work for the adults and a busy school day for the kids.
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Ingredients

Pan Seared Chicken

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
  • 1 tsp. of kosher salt divided
  • 1 tsp. of fresh ground black pepper divided
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • 2 tsp. parmesan cheese grated (optional)

Herbed Bacon Quinoa Almonds

Instructions

Pan Seared Chicken

  • Tenderize the chicken breasts by pounding the meat with a rolling pin or a meat mallet.
  • This will ensure that the meat will have a uniform thickness.
  • Season the chicken with the salt and the pepper.
  • Heat the skillet on medium high heat.
  • Add the olive oil.
  • When the skillet is well heated, put in the chicken breasts and sear on high heat.
  • Cook for about 2 minutes, until lightly brown, and then turn to the other side.
  • Continue cooking until brown.

Optional:

  • You can sprinkle grated cheese on the chicken and then broil for about 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese melts, before serving.

Herbed Bacon Quinoa Almonds

  • Prepare the oven by preheating to 350° F.
  • Put the slivered almonds inside a pie plate.
  • Toast for about 4 minutes, until brown.
  • Allow to cool, set aside.
  • Heat the vegetable oil in a medium-sized saucepan.
  • Add in the bacon.
  • Cook on moderate high heat for about 2 minutes, until the bacon fat comes out.
  • Add in the shallot.
  • Cook for about 1 minute, stirring occasionally, until soft but not brown.
  • Add in the quinoa, the stock, and the sage.
  • Bring to boil and cover.
  • Cook on low heat for about 17 minutes until the chicken stock is absorbed.
  • Turn heat off.
  • Allow to stand with the cover on for about 5 minutes.
  • Take the sage out and fluff quinoa using a fork,
  • Add in the parsley, the chives, and the toasted almonds.
  • Stir and then season with salt and pepper.
  • Serve together with the grilled chicken.
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Course; Chicken / Nuts

Almond-Coated Tilapia

Almond-Coated Tilapia

This is a very simple supper with just 6 ingredients and you can substitute the tilapia with flounder, catfish, or orange roughy. Be sure to cook them in a skillet that is large enough to hold them comfortably. If all you have is a small skillet, then cook them in batches.
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Ingredients

Instructions

  • Process 1/2 cup of the almonds in your food processor until they are finely chopped.
  • Transfer to a shallow bowl.
  • Add in the 1/4 cup of flour and combine.
  • Evenly season the tilapia fillet with salt, and then rub with almond mixture.
  • In a large heavy skillet, melt the butter with olive oil on medium heat.
  • Arrange the almond coated fillets in the skillet and cook for about 4 minutes every side, until golden brown.
  • Transfer to a serving plate when cooked.
  • Add the remaining 1/2 cup of almonds in the skillet and cook for 1 minute, stirring often, until golden.
  • Use a slotted spoon to remove the almonds.
  • Sprinkle over fish and serve.
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Course; Fish / Main Course / Nuts