Red Kidney Beans and Rice

I have lots of kidney beans ... I searched for recipes and found inspiration for ...

Red Kidney Beans and Rice

The first thing I did was hydrate some dried kidney beans that I had on hand at home. I made plenty to use in a few recipes.

Prepare the rice of your choice. I usually serve beans to rice in a 2:1 ratio.

Ingredients:

4 cups kidney beans
1 cup vegetable broth
1 zucchini - diced small
1/2 onion diced
6 cloves of garlic smashed and diced
olive oil ... just enough to saute
1 tbsp cajun seasoning
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp sriracha
1 tsp cayenne

Instructions:

• Saute onion and garlic in olive oil
• When translucent, add zucchini and spices
• Saute for a few minutes to heat the spices
• Add beans and broth and stir to combine 
• When most of the liquid is absorbed the dish is done

Serve with rice of your choice

Variations:

Include fried tofu, vegan sausage, or regular sausage ... make this meal your own based on the level of spice you prefer and the diet you need to follow.

A Twist on Vegetable Jowar Umpa

I was searching through recipes that incorporate sorghum into them and happened upon a recipe for Vegetable Jowar Upma. I modified the recipe a bit based on the ingredients I had on hand.The recipe was a hit. My husband and I will try it again ... with some variations.

I enjoy using sorghum in recipes as it is high in protein, iron, and fiber. In recipes where I used to use barley, I tend to substitute sorghum once I had to start eating a gluten free diet. 

This dish comes together much faster if you have the sorghum ready ahead of time. I usually make a large batch of sorghum and use it for a few recipes. 

The cooking ratio is 1 cup sorghum : 2 cups liquid.

 

 

 

Ingredients:

• 1 -1.5 inch piece of ginger root ... peeled and diced 
• NOTE: I take peels of ginger and boil in water to make ginger tea.
• 2 cups sorghum
• 4 cups liquid ( I used half water and half vegetable broth)
• 1/2 to 1 cup vegetable broth to prepare vegetables
• 1 onion - diced
• 3 large cloves of garlic - crushed and diced 
• 2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp turmeric
• just enough olive oil to sautee vegetables
• 4 tbsp peanuts
• 2 green chilies ( I substituted crushed red pepper flakes - 2 tbsp)
• 1 carrot - diced 
• 1/2 cup corn
• 1/2 cup peas 
• Optional: Drizzle with lemon juice at serving
• NOTE: I did not have the corn or peas. I WOULD add next time along with one red bell pepper to add more color to the dish.
• NOTE: I would add  diced potatoes

TIP: I would add fried tofu or chickpeas (perhaps roasted) at serving for a more substantial dish. You could add chicken if you wish to make this a meal with meat.  

Instructions:

• Prepare sorghum in a pot.
• In a pan add the olive oil, pepper, chilies or crushed red pepper, peanuts, and turmeric
• After the spices heat for a minute or two, add the vegetables and sautee in the oil and spice blend. 
• Add 1/2 cup of vegetable broth at a time to the mixture. Prepare vegetables so they are el dente
• Add the sorghum and stir to combine
• When all the liquid is absorbed it is ready to plate. 
• Optional: Drizzle with lemon juice at serving

Yogurt ... So Simple ... So Powerful

I enjoy yogurt as part of my breakfast. When you walk into the store, there are many yogurt options available for you to choose. You may become overwhelmed when you see all of the options: dairy, non-dairy, Greek, Icelandic, plain, flavored, non-fat, low-fat, or full-fat.

You need to pick the product that is best for you. When you settle on the one you prefer, there are so many things you can do with it!

Greek Yogurt

Greek Yogurt is thicker than traditional yogurt and has more protein because more of the liquid is strained out of it.

Icelandic Yogurt 

Icelandic Yogurt is similar to Greek Yogurt but it is made with skim milk. The result is a milder taste and higher levels of protein and pure milk

Cashew Milk Yogurt

Cashew Milk Yogurt is lower in sugar than dairy based yogurts.  There are many other vegan yogurts available. Cashew Milk Yogurts are more frequently available in most stores.

How do you enjoy Yogurt?

I like to use a plain variety as my blank canvas and add to it. Additions include:

• dried fruits/nuts/seeds
• fresh or frozen fruit
• cinnamon
• supplements like SuperBeets and  Collagen Maximizer +