Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Ultra-metabolism Chicken Cacciatore

So, this first recipe isn't the easiest that I'll post--but I wanted to get the ball rolling, and also offer a cookbook suggestion!

I really like the Ultra-Metabolism Cookbook by Dr. Mark Hyman.  These are good tasting recipes for realistic people who are not going to soup and smoothie their ways through 30 days.

Let this be your dinner on Night #1-- and your lunch the next day-- and I DARE you to feel like you're on an anti-inflammatory diet detox!

(and if you like this recipe, Dr. Hyman has some more online for free!)

Author: 
Recipe type: Dinner
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 6
 

Ingredients
  • 6 (about 3 pounds total) bone-in chicken breast halves, skin removed  (I have had success with boneless, too!)
  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ cup plus 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 cups sliced onion (about 3 medium onions)
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic (about 2 medium cloves)
  • 4 medium red bell peppers, cored, seeded and cut into ½ inch strips (honestly, you don't really need these-- I have made it when I'm out of peppers)
  • ¼ cup organic low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 (28-ounce) can whole tomatoes, drained and chopped  (I use a box of Pomi and if you haven't used Pomi, go find some...Whole Foods carries it, as does my local grocery store.  It is great.)
  • 1 teaspoon minced oregano
  • ½ teaspoon minced rosemary
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • ½ pound cremini mushrooms, cut into thick slices  (I think I have used any kind of mushroom, sometimes frozen, sometimes dried...it is always fine)
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
Instructions
  1. Rub the chicken with ½ teaspoon of the salt and ½ teaspoon of the black pepper.
  2. Heat ¼ cup of the extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  3. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes on each side, until brown.
  4. Remove the chicken to a platter and set aside.
  5. Add the sliced onions to the pan and cook for about 5 minutes, until softened. Add garlic and red peppers and cook for about 5 minutes, until the peppers begin to softened. Remove the onions and red pepper mixture to a plate.
  6. Add the broth to the skillet and bring to a boil over high heat. Cook for 1 minute, scraping any brown bits off the bottom of the pan. Add the tomatoes, oregano, rosemary and crushed red pepper flakes, reduce to a simmer and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until slightly thickened. Stir in the reserved onions and peppers. Add the chicken pieces and bring back to a simmer. Cover and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the chicken is done.
  7. Meanwhile, heat the remaining 2 teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms, the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt and the remaining ½ teaspoon of black pepper. Cook for about 8 minutes, until the mushrooms have browned.
  8. When the chicken is done, add the mushrooms to the pan and heat through. Adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve garnished with the parsley.

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Anti-inflammatory

I have been doing a lot of reading about foods and inflammation.

First, I'd like to note the quote by Hippocrates, "let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food".  Great quote.  Also happens to be the header quote on EVERY BLOG BY EVERY SELF RESPECTING NUTRITIONIST AND AMATEUR HOUR NUTRITION BLOGGER (like myself) EVER.  Ok, just so you know, I am nothing if not self aware.  Maybe.

Phew, ok, that is out of the way, we can get down to business.

I am going to be posting anti-inflammatory information-- my research and thoughts, and recipes.  I hope it can be of interest to my friends and family, and I'd be most honored if you ever wanted to try a recipe or a week of anti-inflammatory eating, or a month of anti-inflammatory eating. 

I can tell you, it can be very helpful in quickly SHEDDING pounds (my boyfriend lost 15lbs in about 6 weeks!) or restoring energy, good moods, and wellness (after BEGRUDGINGLY eliminating gluten/wheat at the advice of a real nutritionist, I discovered that my gut does not like gluten.  As bummed as I am that I can't have doughnut vault or pequod's pizza whenever I want them, I can tell I am HAPPIER and healthier.)  Interestingly, I mainly notice the "happier" part, even more than the "healthier."

Did you know that serotonin, our body's main "happy chemical" is most prevalent in our GUTS?  And if our GUTS ARE HURTING, so likely is our serotonin, and therefore our moods?  This is MUCH MORE MOTIVATING to me than the GI distress I now experience after consuming gluten-- I want to be happy!!

Okay... happy anti-inflammatory eating...  LET FOOD BE THY MEDICINE!