Superfood Salad Dressing (Creamy Spirulina)

I was at the Lucidity Festival in Santa Ynez this past weekend and ran across a vendor that was serving up smoothies and selling healthy products (I bought a yummy Charge Boss Clusters and golden berries).  I wasn't much in the mood for sweet so I opted for something called the "Miso Sip"  it was a tall glass of warm miso with spirulina and ginger in it.  Perfection!

They had recipe cards out side of their vending station so I picked up this recipe.  

Recipe from Imlake'esh Organics

Ingredients

1/2 cup olive oil

4 tsp spirulina

2 inch piece of fresh ginger

1 inch piece of fresh turmeric

1/2 avocado

1 tsp sea salt

pinch of cayenne pepper

Directions

Add all ingredients into a blender.

Blend on HIGH for 1 minute

Massage into kale or your choice of salad greens

Toss in your favorite toppings

Chia Seed Indian Kheer (Vegan / Vegetarian )

Chia Seeds are an ancient grain that called Salvia Hispanica which grows in the deserts of Mexico.  They were used by the Aztecs and Mayans as energy and endurance boosters.  In fact, the word "Chia" means strength.  They are considered a concentrated food meaning that these tiny seeds pack a serious punch when it comes to healthy Omega-3 fatty acids, carbohydrates (the healthy kind) protein, fiber, antioxidants and calcium.

This is a version of the Indian dessert Kheer without the processed white rice that is normally used.

Ingredients

1 Cup of Silk Vanilla Coconut Milk (carton)

1/4 cup unsweetened canned coconut milk

2 Tablespoons of Agave Syrup

1 tsp of ground cardamom

1/2 tsp of ground cinnamon 

4 Tablespoons of Chia Seeds

unsweetened Coconut Shavings

Sliced Almonds

Directions

Mix all ingredients (except coconut shavings and sliced almonds) in a container with a lid.

Seal tight and shake.

Store in refrigerator for at least 5 hours.

Serve cold with Coconut Shavings and Sliced Almonds as garnish

Enoki Mushrooms (Izakaya style) ~ Vegan / Gluten Free / Soy Free

Izakayas are basically like a tavern or gastropub where people go to drink and eat small plates and "bar foods".  The term Izakaya means (stay sake shop) basically it is a perpetual happy hour where you are encouraged to take your time, hang out with friends and order a little bit at a time.

Since I am a huge fan of mushrooms (I will probably mention this a lot) I decided to use the Enoki Mushrooms that I found at the Korean Market to recreate one of my favorite dishes.

Ingredients

1 Bunch of Enoki Mushrooms

2 teaspoons of Coconut Aminos*

2 teaspoons of rice wine vinegar 

1 Tablespoon of Citrus Ponzu

1 teaspoon of sesame oil

1 tablespoon of butter

 pepper to taste

Furikaki *

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees

Whisk all liquid ingredients in a bowl.

Place mushrooms on a fairly large piece of aluminum foil

Pour liquid mixture over the mushrooms

place two pads of butter on top (tablespoon total)

sprinkle with pepper and fold aluminum oil around the mushrooms, crimping the edges to make a boat like shape (leave a little breathing room at the top)

Place on a baking sheet in the center of your onion and bake for 20 minutes

Remove from oven and place in shallow bowl with liquid sauce

Sprinkle with a little Furikake

**What and why Coconut Aminos:

coconut aminos are made from the tree sap of the coconut tree.  It is an organic sauce that is gluten-free, dairy-free and soy-free.  It offers many vitamins and minerals that will not be found in soy sauce.

What is Furikake?

Furikake is a common seasoning in Japanese households.  It is great over steamed rice or Enoki mushrooms, in this case.  If you are vegan do not use this item because it does contain lactose which may be from a milk source.  Traditionally it is made with bonito flakes but, as far as I can tell this brand and type contains no fish

Blackened Chicken over Spaghetti Squash with Chipotle Cream Sauce (Low Carb)

So I am really trying to watch my carb intake (mostly cutting out the "bad" processed carbs) so I thought I would create a creamy recipe that would taste amazing over pasta and serve it over spaghetti squash instead.

1 cup of whole wheat pasta = 37 grams net carbs

1 cup cooked regular spaghetti = 40 grams carbs

1 cup cooked spaghetti squash = 10 grams carbs

Along with the low carb count, spaghetti squash has tons of fiber, which will keep you feeling full longer (and keep you regular) and a host of vitamins and nutrients that you will never find in processed pastas.

Ingredients for the Sauce

3 Tablespoons Butter

1/2 onion chopped

1 cup peppers chopped (bell or mini peppers)

1 Can Rotel brand tomatoes and chilies

2 Cups of Half and Half

1 Cup Sour Cream

3 or 4 canned chipotle peppers - chopped

2 - 3 tablespoons of adobo sauce (that's what your chipotles are soaking in)

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions for the Sauce

If you are going to serve this with the blackened chicken, turn your oven on two 350 degrees before you start preparation 

Heat butter over medium heat.  Add onion and peppers and sauté until soft about 5 minutes.

Add chopped chipotle chills, adobo sauce, half and half and sour cream.

Add salt to taste

Heat until warmed through then remove from heat and add chopped cilantro

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Ingredients for the Blackened Chicken

1 pound of boneless chicken breasts (thin cut)

1 teaspoon of Paprika

1/2 teaspoon Salt

1/2 teaspoon of Cayenne Pepper

1/2 teaspoon of Cumin

1/2 teaspoon of Turmeric

1/4 teaspoon of Black Pepper

1 teaspoon of Onion Powder

Instructions for the Blackened Chicken

Heat Oven to 350 degrees

Lightly grease a cookie sheet with olive oil

Heat a Cast Iron or Stainless Steal pan on stove until very hot (DO NOT!!!  I repeat….DO NOT use a non-stick pan ~ When heated alone they release toxins that can actually kill pet birds)

Mix all spices in a shallow bowl

Coat Chicken breasts in spices then add to hot pan

Cook about 3 minutes per side until you see it blackening

Move to cookie sheet in place in oven; cook an additional 4 minutes per side

Remove from oven and place on chopping board.  Slice chicken into strips (check for doneness at this point - no pink)


At this point you can either serve the chicken and sauce with your favorite pasta or over spaghetti sauce as I did.  garnish with a couple sprigs of cilantro and lime wedges.  Enjoy!