Lentil and Potato Bake

Another great Autumn recipe when you feel like something hearty but less fatting.

Ingredients:

2 tbsp of olive oil

2 onions, chopped

2 cloves of garlic, chopped

1 tbsp of turmeric

2 tsp ground coriander

2 tbsp ground cumin

1 tsp of cayenne pepper

1/4 tsp of ground ginger

3 medium-large carrots chopped

3/4 cup of red lentils 

1 can of chopped tomatoes 

2 and 1/3 cups of veg stock

2 lbs of (1 kilo) of Maris Piper or King Edward potatoes ( if in the US then some more mashing)

1/2 cup of mature cheddar cheese

1/4 cup of butter

1/4 cup of sour cream 

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 200C. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan, add the onions and gently cook for 10 mins until soften but not coloured. Stir in the garlic, spices and cook for a further minute. 

Add the carrots and red lentils and toss well in the spices and onion. Pour in the chopped tomatoes and stock and mixed together well. Cook, uncovered, over a gentle heat for about 30 minutes until the lentils are cooked and tender, the carrots is very soft and the sauce has thickened. 

Meanwhile, place the potatoes in a large saucepan of water, bring to the boil and cook for 20 mins until the potatoes are soft and can be pierced with a knife. Drain well and return to the pan with the cheese and sour cream. Mash together with a potato masher until creamy. Season

Tip the lentil and carrot mixture into the bottom of a baking dish or shallow round dish, then spoon the potato mash on top, leaving it quite rough with some added cheese so it will leave a nice crispy crust. Bake for 25 mins. 

Serves 8 

Brown Lentil Chilli

Really easy dinner to make and a great healthy substitute to a meaty chilli. 

Ingredients: 

Ok guys so my recipe is

8 Cups of Water or 8 Cups of Organic Veg Broth. I used 4 organic veg broth cubes and 8 cups of water to make my broth.

1 Red Bell Pepper Chopped

1 Medium Yellow Onion Chopped

5 Garlic Cloves Chopped

2 and 1/4 Cups of Organic Brown Lentils

4 Tsp of Organic Chilli Powder

2 Cans of Chopped Tomatoes 

A bit of Chipotle sauce ( This is optional, I used about 2 tsps)

Chopped Cilantro 

Directions:

Bring 3/4 cup broth to a simmer in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, bell pepper and garlic and cook about 8 mins or until the onion and pepper are tender. Stir in chili powder and cook 1 minute stirring constantly. Add lentils, tomatoes and remaining 7 1/4 cups of broth. Bring to a boil. reduce heat to a medium-low and simmer, partially covered. 30 minutes or until lentils are almost tender. Add some Chipotle sauce (optional) Uncover and cook 10 minutes longer. Stir in Cilantro and serve.

Enjoy :)

Yummy Black Bean Burgers

Here is a great substitute to your normal everyday beef burgers. They are so tasty and filling, you will want more.

Ingredients:

1- 16 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups cooked Quinoa (1 Cup of uncooked Quinoa makes 2 cups)
5 Cloves of Garlic Crushed
2 Tbsp olive
1 shallot, diced
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/4 tsp sea salt (for veggies)
1/4 tsp smoked sea salt (for beans)
Cilantro leaves, loosely packed

Optional 1/2-1 cup  panko bread crumbs

Instructions:

Begin by sautéing the bell pepper, cumin, and shallot in 1/2 Tbsp of oil till the veg starts to soften, then add the garlic and sea salt, sauté for a minute or two more, turn off heat and set aside.

Next, in a food processor, add the beans, cooled veggies, paprika, and smoked sea salt. Pulse until just combined.

Then add the quinoa and cilantro, again pulse until combined.

Hand form into palm-sized burger patties.

Let cool for 5 minutes, then coat each side in panko bread crumbs, being sure to push down to adhere the breadcrumbs to the burger.

Pan fry in remaining oil (perhaps a bit more) for 5-7 minutes on each side.

Enjoy like a burger.

Crimini Mushrooms

Decided to make my famous Summer Pasta tonight. Its a light healthy dinner that can be whipped up in about 20 minutes or less. While I was contemplating on what mushrooms to use, I came across Organic Crimini Mushrooms. I'v heard about these mushrooms so I thought I would give them a try. I usually use just white mushrooms which are ok but not the best. White mushrooms to me seem to produce to much water when sauteing and I wanted to see how these would turn out.

After sauteing them with some olive oil, a bit of chopped garlic, salt and pepper they turned out to be the best tasting mushroom in my opinion for pasta or salad. They taste really great.

So here is a bit of info about them. Crimini mushrooms, which are darker than the more common button mushrooms, are especially packed with nutrients. Some research has even suggested that eating niacin-rich foods like crimini mushrooms can help prevent Alzheimer's Disease. Some of the most popular ways to cook crimini mushrooms is to saute, grill or roast them.

 Mushrooms are a delicious way to add vitamins and anti-oxidants to your diet. 

24hr Detox Drink

This drink can be used in a 24 hour super detox along with drinking hot water with lemon and mineral water and nothing else. This will give the system a break from any heavy digestion and flush the system. It's great for cleaning the liver and kidneys, building blood and flushing the systems of impurities. It's also great for pre  and post workout.

Loaded with Vitamins A, B and C, potassium, boron, coratenes, folic acid, manganese, calcium and iron.

Whats in it: 
1 inch piece of raw beetroot
1/2 apple (Royal Gala is what I used)
1 inch pineapple slice
1 inch slice of lemon with rind, if unwaxed
3/4 liter of mineral water or filtered

Directions:
Juice the beetroot, pineapple, apple and lemon. Mix with water in a 1 liter bottle. Shake well and drink. Enjoy

Guacamole

Here is a pretty easy and yummy guacamole recipe for you. You will enjoy it and so will your friends. It also makes a great spread for sandwiches.

Ingredients: 
4 medium tomatoes
4 avocados
juice of 1 lime
1/2 small onion
2 garlic cloves
small bunch of coriander (cilantro)
1 red (fresno) chilli, do more if you wish
Salt

Directions:
Cut a cross in the base of each tomato. Place the tomatoes in a bowl and pour over boiling water to cover. Leave the tomatoes in the water for about 3 minutes. Drain, then instantly pour cold water over them. Drain. The skins will have begun to peel back on their own. Remove the skins, cut the tomatoes in half, remove the seeds using a teaspoon, then chop roughly and put aside. 

Cut the avocados in half then remove the stones. Scoop out the flesh and place it in a food processor. Process till smooth. You might have to do this for awhile till its smooth and scrape down the sides to get it all processed. Then scrape into a bowl and add the lime juice.

Chop the onion finely and crush the garlic. Add both to the avocado and mix well.

Remove the stalks from the chilli(es) slit them and scrape out the seeds. Chop the chillies finely and add them to the mixture with the chopped tomatoes and mix. Check that its good, add some salt for flavor. Cover and chill for about 1 hour.

Hint: Bought guacamole usually has mayo, which helps to preserve the avocado. This doesn't so will last about 2-3 days. 

Brown Sugar Salsa

Here is a new salsa I came up with tonight. Tried and few things different this time. Try it and see what you think.

Ingredients: 

6 Tomatoes 
1 White Onion
3 Garlic Cloves, Minced
1 Lime, Juiced
Handful of Cilantro, finely chopped (Coriander)
2 Tbsp of Tomato Paste
2 Tbsp of Olive Oil
1/2 Tsp of Salt
1 Tsp of Brown Sugar
1/4 Tsp of Cumin
1 Green Chili, Sliced or chopped (de-seeded if needed)

Directions:

Chop the veg and put into a food processor add the rest of ingredients and blend to desired texture. Then put into a pan, bring to a boil and simmer for about 10 mins, let cool, serve.

Hot Grape Nuts with Cinnamon and Sugar

For breakfast this morning I decided to make a childhood favorite of mine for my son. We used to have hot grape nuts quite a bit when I was kid living in New Hampshire. It was the best thing on those cold winter mornings when I was being awoken at 5 am. My mother would always have breakfast ready for us.

This morning was one of those mornings in my house with my old children. I woke up at 6:30 am and woke my son up with the smell of some hot grape nuts with a bit of twist to them. This was something my mother never did. I decided to add a bit of sugar and cinnamon to it. Not much but just enough to add to the flavor and the smell.

Ingredients:

1 Cup of Grape Nuts
1 Tbsp of Butter
1 Cup of Milk (maybe a little more or less)
1/4 tsp of Cinnamon
1/2 tsp of Sugar

Directions:

Mix all ingredients in a saucepan, bring to a boil then simmer and continue to stir till creamy or how you want them. Kids will enjoy it and its high in fiber as well. Very filling till lunch. Great for after runs or workouts as well.

Serves 2

Chicken and Brown Rice Chow Mein

A simple, quick and filling dinner to make is this Chicken and Brown Rice Chow Mein. A lot of protein and would be great for after workouts, running etc. Great for leftovers as well.

 Ingredients:

2-3 Chicken Breast
1 Red Onion
2 Tbsp of Tamari Sauce
1 Tbsp of Sunflower Oil
pinch of salt and pepper
2 Cups of Brown Rice
2 pkts of Chow Mein Sauce

Directions:

Put 2 cups of brown rice in a pot, cover with water, bring to a boil then cover and simmer for 20 mins. When there is about 10 mins left on the rices,

slice or dice the chicken, slice the red onion, put 1 tbsp of sunflower oil in a wok or deep frying pan on medium-high heat. Place the red onion in the pan and saute for a min or so, then place the chicken in and mix. Add the Tamari, pepper and salt and stir. Turn the heat down to medium-low. Once the rice is done you can add this to the pan if you choose. Add the chow mein sauce and stir all together. Enjoy.

Serves 6

Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

Creamy Chicken Enchiladas is a great dinner to make. Everyone I think these days loves Mexican food with a bit of an American twist to it. Real Mexican food is just amazing and I should probably start making some authentic Mexican food one day but for now this will do. This recipe can be very filling and you don't even have to use chicken. The black beans and brown rice are a great source of protein and really filling. So here is the recipe everyone has been waiting for.

Ingredients: What I used

3-4 Organic Chicken Breast
Organic Brown Rice
Black Beans (Drained and Rinsed),Optional
Jalapenos
1/2 teaspoon of Cumin
1/2 teaspoon of Paprika
8 Soft Tortillas
2 Cans of Organic Cream of Chicken Soup (you can make your own but let's be honest this is supposed to be a quick recipe, it doesn't have to be though.

Toppings:

Homemade Salsa*
Sour Cream
Mature Cheddar Cheese

Directions: For Crock Pot if you choose.

Place chicken in Crock Pot and completely cover with water and cook on high for 4 hours. When done take the chicken out and shred. If you don't want to use a crock pot, don't have one or don't have time, you can bake chicken in the oven for about 20 mins on 350F or just slice and diced and cook it in a frying pan.

To make the rice place about 1 cup of rice in a pot, cover with about 1 inch of water, bring to a boil, stir once and then cover and simmer for 20 mins.

When both the chicken and rice are cooked put 1 and 1/2 cans of cream of chicken soup (saving half a can) in with the chicken as well as the cumin, paprika, some chopped jalapenos, black beans and brown rice and mix on a medium temp. Turn on the oven and heat to 180C (350F)

Place mix in each tortilla and then roll up the tortilla and place in baking tray. With the 1/2 of can of cream of chicken still left pour a bit over each tortilla then shred cheese on top of each tortilla with some more chopped jalapenos if you wish. Place in oven for 20 mins. Once done, serve with salsa and topped with sour cream. Enjoy

*Salsa Recipe - http://owenshealthouse.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/delicious-simple-salsa.html

Flavored Water with Chia Seeds

Here is a simple and great way to have healthy flavored water with chia seeds. Chia seeds are great in and on just about anything.

Ingredients:

Water
Squeezed Lemon
Sugar
2 Tsp or more of Chia Seeds

English Muffin Pizza's

This is a simple snack for the kids, kids and their friends, friends or yourself. Can also be great for a quick lunch if your on the go. Simple to make and great tasting.

English Muffin Pizzas

Ingredients:

English Muffin
Tomato Paste
Basil
Oregano
Red Onion
Slice Tomato
Pepperoni
Fresh Mozzarella

Just have fun with the toppings. Easy. Enjoy.

How Much Water is Enough?

How much water should we be drinking everyday? Online recommends 2.5L a day. I say more. I drink more than 2.5L before lunch. Drinking water is very vital in our everyday lives. Staying hydrated is not just for people that work out. It will keep your cells clean, yourself hydrated, skin healthier and just have an overall better feeling. So remember to drink water.

Sometimes its All You Need

Sometimes just having a salad for lunch or dinner is all you need.

Mixed Greens, Apples and Avocado with a Honey Mustard Dressing.

Easy Lunch

Want something quick and easy for lunch especially after you just made all that pesto. Here is something easy to make if you are in a hurry or want a lite lunch.

Ingredients: 

Nice Crusty Bread
Pesto (check out my recipe on here)
Chorizo (if you want)
Tomato
Olive Oil
Pepper

Directions:

Toast the bread, spread with pesto, add the chorizo, add a slice of tomato, drizzle with olive oil and pepper to taste.

Thai-Style Sweet Potato Soup

So tonight I decided to try and make a soup. This is the first one that I have really put together on my own. It came out really nice actually. When I was eating a similar one a few weeks back I told myself I need to create this. It took me a while to get around to it, I finally did today. This can be eaten as an appetizer or a main meal for lunch or dinner. Serve with nice crusty bread.

Ingredients: 

2 Large Sweet Potatoes
2 Large Sweet Onions
2 Tbsp of Brown Sugar
4 Tbsp of Peanut Oil
2 Tbsp of Thai Red Curry Paste
2 Tbsp of Ground Ginger
2 L of Chicken Stock
200ml of Coconut Milk (Half a Can)
Handful of Cilantro (Coriander)
1/2 Cup of Chopped Spring Onion
Juice of 2 Limes

Directions:

Preheat oven to 200C, peel the sweet potatoes and slice in half, do the same for the sweet onions. Place on baking tray, scatter brown sugar and half of the peanut oil over the top of the veg making sure to cover most of the veg. Bake the veg for about 45 mins, making sure to turn the veg a few times throughout them baking. Once baked the veg should be golden brown, caramelized, not black.
Then take a large pot and add the rest of the peanut oil, Thai Red Curry Paste and ginger, cook over a medium heat for about 3 mins. Then add the baked veg and mix. At this point don't worry if the veg isn't chopped etc. Mix the best you can. Next pour in the chicken stock and simmer for 15 mins.

What I did next was I took out all the veg the best I could and placed them in a blender with most of the stock and blended till smooth. Put the smooth mix into another pot, then blend the rest, add all together and stir. Add the coconut milk, stir, simmer for another 3 mins, add the cilantro, sweet onions and lime juice. Serve while warm

Serves about 6

Creamy Chicken Pesto

So tonight after I made Pesto and a batch of fresh salsa I decided to make a yummy creamy pasta. What an easy thing to do since I already made the Pesto. Its a quick and easy meal to make in about 20-30 mins. Your family will enjoy it as did mine.
Its not a heavy meal either so you wont feel completely stuffed or heavy after eating it.

Ingredients for Pesto: If its not made already 

3 Cups of Basil (Fresh)

4 Garlic Cloves (Minced)
1/2 Cup of Olive Oil
1/3 Cup of Pine Nuts or Walnuts if you want.
1/2 Cup of Parmesan Cheese
Salt
Pepper

Marinade for Chicken:

3 Chicken Breast (sliced)
3 tbsp of Olive Oil
1 tbsp of Basil
2 tsp of Oregano
Pepper
Salt

Creamy Pesto Sauce: 

4-5 tbsp of Olive Oil
1 Cup of Heavy Cream
Sundried Tomatoes (as many as you want)
3-4 tbsp of pesto
Pepper

Pasta Ingredients:

Thin Linguine or Angle Hair Pasta (whatever you would like really)

Directions:

If you haven't already made the pesto (if you have continue on)..Combine the basil in with the pine nuts, pulse a few times in a food processor. (If you are using walnuts instead of pine nuts and they are not already chopped, pulse them a few times first, before adding the basil.) Add the garlic, pulse a few times more.
Slowly add the olive oil in a constant stream while the food processor is on. Stop to scrape down the sides of the food processor with a rubber spatula. Add a little more olive oil if you want it a bit more smooth. Add the grated cheese and pulse again until blended. Add a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

If you have made the pesto already or are using a jarred one..Prepare your chicken. Turn the oven on to 180C (350F). While the oven is warming, slice the chicken breast or however you want it. Combine the marinade in a bowl or container, place your chicken slices in the marinade. If using a container put the lid on and shake to mix all the ingredients. If you are using a bowl use your hand to mix it. Let sit till the oven is warm. While the oven is warming and your marinade is mixed with the chicken, fill a pot of water adding some olive oil and a few pinches of salt, begin bringing to a boil. By the time you have done that the oven should be warm enough for the chicken to go in. Place chicken in oven for about 20 mins.

While your chicken is cooking and your pasta water is being brought to a boil, ready your cream and slice your sundried tomatoes. Ready your pan with the olive oil for the sauce, add your sundried tomatoes. When the oven reaches 10 mins left for the chicken the water for the pasta should be boiling. Add your pasta, stiring occasionly for about 10 mins. While your pasta is cooking and there is about 5 mins left, begin warming the pan with the olive oil and sudried tomatoes, add the cream and some pepper, bring to a semi boil. Add the tbsp's of pesto and stir till it all mixes well. All should be done at the same time. Pull out the chicken, drain the pasta (put the pasta back into the pot once drained, add some olive oil so it doesn't stick), then serve how you would like it.

What I did was put some pasta on a plate, placed a couple of chicken slices on top, then added a couple of spoonfuls of the creamy pesto sauce on top of the chicken. Enjoy :)

Serves about 6

Organic Brown Rice, Black beans, Homemade Salsa and Grilled Chicken

Looking for something healthy and yummy for dinner tonight? This will fill you up plus give you great energy and the protein you need. This is a very simple recipe to do and I'm pretty sure your kids will like it as well. My son loves it.

Ingredients:

1 Can of Black Beans
1-2 Cups of Organic Brown Rice
2 Chicken Breasts (Fillet in half to make four fillets)
1/2 tsp Paprika
1/2 tsp Oregano
1/4 tsp Cumin
4 Jalapenos slices
1 Lime (juiced)
Salsa
Pepper
Salt

Try my Homemade Salsa which can be found here:

http://owenshealthouse.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/delicious-simple-salsa.html

Directions:

In a bowl add the Paprika, Oregano, Cumin, Pepper and Salt and mix. Pour the lime juice over the chicken breasts. Then coat the chicken with your spices. Warm oven to 350F (180C). Place chicken in oven and cook for 20-25mins.
Add your rice to a pan, cover rice with an inch of water over the top. Bring to a boil then simmer for 25mins. While this and the chicken are cooking. Place the black beans in a pan (DO NOT drain and rinse) add your chopped jalapenos. On a low heat stir occasionally.

Everything will then be done at the same time. Serve and Enjoy :)

Serves 6 depending on how much rice you do.

The Cure

Here is a health tip for you..Think about it!

Chia Seeds

Been doing some studying lately on seeds and I have come across chia seed time and time again and the benefits they provide. Chia seeds are loaded with Omega-3, protein, magnesium, calcium and potassium. Benefits of the Chia seed include blood sugar balancing, lose weight without starving, more energy etc. The Chia seed is a small seed that you won't notice when adding to food, salad dressings or drinks. So far I have added the seed to my home made salad dressing. They add quite a nice taste to the dressing actually. This is a seed that can't be missed in your daily diet.


For more info on what this seed can do check out  

http://www.mychiaseeds.com/Articles/Top10ChiaBenefits.html