Sweet Potato Fries with Herbs

My friend Melinda gave me a new way to make sweet potato fries. (I love hearing other peoples ideas. =) She said you could also use this mixture on squash and other kinds of potatoes too. I loved the smell of all the herbs. It was fun to use Oregano too! They added a wonderful flavor. I appreciated my husband cutting all the sweet potatoes. He does such a nice job. I like him being in the kitchen with me. Sorry I only have a before picture. I love to find new ways to eat vegetables.


Ingredients:
5-6 sweet potatoes or squash
4 minced garlic
1/2 C olive oil
1 C apple cider vinegar (I may cut this down a tad next time. I did like it!)
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp paprika
2 tsp salt
2 tsp pepper

Directions: Heat oven to 350

1. Slice up potatoes in julienne pieces. 1/4' wide by 3 to 4 " long (roughly).

2. Mix in a bowl, with a whisk: oil, vinegar, herbs, salt and pepper.

3. Dip all the potatoes into the mixture. Place on cookie sheet. Single layer. Cover with foil for the first 30 min. Then take off the foil and cook another 30 min. Depending on your oven. Keep an eye on them.

4. Serve! Enjoy a nice healthy treat!

*Thanks Melinda for all of your great ideas! =)

Brown Rice Pilaf

Since I was using my pressure cooker already for the meat, I decided to just cook the rice on the stove. lt had been a long time since I had done that. I was very pleased with the results. It turned out very light, it was a wonderful pilaf. This too was a popular item. (Like the roast yesterday) I think only about 1 cup was left.
I served this with the roast I posted yesterday. It makes a great combo.

Ingredients:
2 1/2 C brown rice
5 C water
1 small can of chopped mushrooms or fresh
2-3 minced garlic
1 T thyme
1/2 T butter
1 T olive oil
salt and pepper to taste after it is cooked.

Directions:

1. Pour water into pan. Pour in the rice. Bring to boil.

2. While the water is preparing to boil, get a small frying pan. Pour olive oil and mushrooms and garlic into pan. Saute for a couple minutes.

3. Then when water boils add the mushroom mixture, and butter. Stir and let cook on med. to low heat. (You can add another 1/4 to 1/2 C water if it is too dry before it is done. It is done when it fluffs up, and nice and tender.

*I have been happy with the Lundberg Family Rice brand.

* I had leftovers for lunch today and mixed it with a bunch of vegetables. Still very light and good.

Whole Grain Sweet Brown Rice Risotto (Quick)

I have seen recipes for Risotto, but never tried it. Last night I decided to give it a try whole grain style. The key to Risotto is using a short grain rice. The short grains are starchy and stick together better. So I had some Sweet Brown Rice, that is short grain that worked great. I loved the creaminess of it. It is not what you normally get when you are eating rice unless you are eating rice pudding. I knew it was a success when family members were going for seconds. :) It was a hit! The fun thing is you could do lots of different variations. You could change around the spices, meat, and cheese. It is also a way to incorporate some of the herbs I have talked about the last couple days. It was an easy meal. Give it a try.

Ingredients:

2 C sweet Brown (needs to be a short grain)
4 C water or Chicken Stock
1 T thyme
2 garlic cloves minced
1 1/2-2 C mozzarella cheese shredded
2 eggs beaten
2 T fresh Parmesan cheese grated
1 can of chicken breast drained or meat of your choice
2 C frozen stir fry vegetables (Great way to have the family vegetables)
salt and pepper to taste
1/3 C cut up fresh parsley
Parmesan cheese for on top
crushed red pepper * optional


Directions:

1. Cook Brown Rice with thyme and liquid. In rice cooker, pressure cooker, or on the stove. (I used the pressure cooker for 17 min on high pressure and let it sit a couple minutes when the timer went off. There was a small amount of moisture on the top. When I opened it. I just stirred in the water to the rice.)

2. Stir in the garlic, cheese, eggs, vegetables, chicken, salt and pepper. Turn on to low, cover pan and let sit 3-4 min. Take off the lid and stir again.

3. Stir in the parsley. Grate some cheese on top and serve.

*You could have a crushed red pepper shaker on the table if anyone wants to add a little more spice to it. I liked it. The red pepper tastes great on pizza too. I think I may put a shaker on the table more often, to incorporate red peppers into our diet more.

Spices (Chili Peppers, Thyme)

Variety is the spice of life.=) In reading about spices and herbs, they mention to not eat them in excess. I think that would not be a problem for most of us. Usually it is the opposite of not having them enough.

Some helpful insights:

1. Buy in small amounts. If you haven't been using them. Start added them to your foods and see which ones you like. They enhance your foods.
2. Fresh is usually better, but not always possible. Usually it is 1 tsp. dried to 1 T fresh. You can start with less and add more according to your preference. Fresh ground is more flavorful than pre-ground. Dried ones are more potent when you first buy them, they lose some potency as time goes on.
3. I have grown them in my garden with great success. They are on the whole fairly hardy plants. It is gardening time coming up again soon. =) It is a good time to think about what ones to grow.
4. I got some starts in the produce section of the store and have them growing by my kitchen sink. (Basil and Marjoram) They have done really well. I find I use them more often having them right there. I am looking to add more varieties to my indoor garden. They add a nice smell to my kitchen too.
5. Have fun with them! I feel like a scientist at times. Try out new ones. There are a lot of resources out there to increase your knowledge.

Image from thisnext.com

Chili Peppers:

Ways it may help you:
Capsaicin is an ingredient found in chili peppers that makes them spicy.* It also has a lot of helpful benefits. I need to use these a lot more.
*People with heartburn or ulcers shouldn't eat a hot diet.

1. Fights Inflammation
2. Cardiovascular benefits
3. Clears Congestion
4. Boosts Immunity
5. Helpful in losing weight
6. High in Vitamin C (Contains more than an orange)
7. Curbs your appetite
8. Releases endorphins and serotonin- That can give you a good overall feeling.
9. Can help with migraines and headaches
10. Some people say you can warm your feet by sprinkling cayenne in your shoes. ;)
11. Fights prostate cancer and ulcers.

Helpful ways to use it:

1. Add to scrambled eggs
2. Put them in sandwiches, quesadillas, burgers, and wraps.
3. Stir in soups, stews, and pasta sauce
4. Toss in stir frys
5. Saute them with other vegetables
6. Add to dips, salsa, and sauces
7. Add to your favorite Mexican food
8. You can add sprinkle cayenne peppers on foods.
9. Here is a great recipe using Chili powder--one of my family's favorites.
10. Here is another great recipe with chili powder.
image from mountainvalleygrowers.com

Thyme: There are about 60 different varieties. I usually use the dried variety and love the flavor it adds to my food (because that's what I have on hand.) They say the flavor in fresh form is superior to dried. The leaves should be free from yellow or dark spots. It is slow to release its flavor so add early in the cooking process.



Ways it may help you:
1. Good source of iron, calcium and manganese
2. It is an antiseptic as well as antibacterial. You can crush it to clean cuts
3. Soothing for coughs and sore throats.
4. Good antioxidant

Helpful ways to use it: The strong flavor goes well with comfort foods.

1. Sprinkle dried thyme onto to cooked vegetables
2. Add 1/8 tsp to scrambled eggs and salad dressing
3. Use for a rub for salmon
4. Add fresh thyme to chicken soup or salad
5. Add to bean dishes
6. Great with chicken dishes
7. Season soups and vegetable and chicken stocks with it.