Heart-Smart Pilaf

Everyone wants to eat a little healthier in our fast-food instant gratification society . We feel the need to atone for sometimes decades of questionable behaviours with a change. A lot of people seem to be terrified of carbs , which are the energy source for our active bodies . Here's a guilt-free starch-based dish that can be used as a side , a base for a protein , or a meal in itself. It is low-fat , rich in manganese and a host of antioxidants , and lowers cholesterol . Oh yeah , you can find it in any grocery store .

the beautiful beast that is the crux of this dish is long-grain BROWN rice , and you NEED this in your life . you can eat this at any time of day . Forget eggs and bacon - go for some fragrant , delicious rice pudding and you will have a bounty of energy. As for the recipe , this was lunch .

Fragrant Brown Rice Pilaf

Get a saucepot warm and add a touch of canola oil . Add the following finely chopped veg :

1 stalk celery
1/2 small yellow onion
2 cloves garlic

allow to sweat and add 6 chopped black olives , 1 tablespoon Ras el Hanout (or Garam masala) , and a teaspoon or so Dill weed. You are bringing out the smokiness in the herbs and spices.

Deglaze with a touch of dark beer or coffee and allow to simmer for a few minutes.

Add 1 cup long-grain brown rice and 2 and a half cups water . Allow to boil, covered for 5 minutes.
Reduce to very low simmer and stire. Leave it alone for 25 minutes .

Uncover and enjoy!

The Lord of the Rings

EVERYONE has a recipe for the breaded coating for those glorious rings of oniony amazingness , and they are never gonna be low in fat , but mine IS vegan . It works on onions , zucchini, mushrooms , potatoes or anything else you can imagine.
If you are anal retentive about the stickiness and think eggs are the natural solution , try very fine (blending or gravy) flour . It will stick to the onions and allow the battery yummo to adhere to perfection.

Dunk and repeat.

Get out a bowl and fire in
1/3 cup corn meal (fine please)
1/2 cup Wheat Flour
1 teaspoon Basil
1/2 tea each salt , pepper , and hot paprika
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1 teasppon Maggi or Worcestershire
2/3 cup (adjust for altitude) Dark Beer

Mix and allow to sit for 15 minutes before you get the onions in the pool. Fry like yo mama would. Enjoy!

Football Food : the Dunkable Mess

  It's time for the NFL playoffs , and that means FOOD! I came up with this tortillas-and-dip combo last weekend and it ROCKS. The tortillas are a lower-fat break away from the eyeryday . I'm not sure if the dip is salsa or matbucha , or something else , but it's wicked . Enjoy!

The Chips

1 package corn tortillas. Cut into wedge shapes and toss into a bowl containing :

1/4 C Olive or Canola Oil
1 tablespoon dill weed
1 tea black pepper
salt to your liking

Bake in 400F oven for 7-10 minutes. The edges will curl. Salt immediately after you yank them out of the oven. Oh , and wear oven mitts.

The Dunkable Mess

Get out a deep skillet and warm to medium . In order add :

3 Roma tomatoes , chopped
1 Bay Leaf
2/3 Cup Finely chopped celery
1/2 Green Pepper , chopped
1/2 cup Celery Leaves (they're usually in the middle) , chopped
3 Spring Onions
2 Clove Garlic
1/2 Tea ground black pepper
1 tea Basil , dried
1 tea Dill Weed
1/4 Cup Ketchup
Juice of Half Lemon , rind optional

Make this happy until it gets somewhat soft . Add the ketchup in the middle and end of the cooking process , and deglaze frequently with Apple Juice. It will take 10-15 minutes for the dip/salad to get where you want it to be. Turn off heat and add a splash of Apple juice or white wine . Stir and dive in! Warm or chilly , this is addictive.

Enjoy the game! Go Vikes!