Author: Jennifer

Cancer-Fighting Crucifers!

Jennifer Leave a comment

brussels sprouts

Brussels sprouts and wasabi are cruciferous plants, like kale and broccoli, which means that they have phytochemicals that have been shown to repair DNA cells and even block the growth of cancer cells. I usually simply roast brussels sprouts in the oven with olive oil, salt, and pepper, but when I came across this recipe with wasabi and miso, I was intrigued. The wasabi packs a punch and will surely clear your nasal passages! I love this recipe and have already made it a few times in the last month.

Brussels Sprouts Salad

Ingredients:

1 pound brussels sprouts

2 green onions, sliced

Miso Dijon Sauce:

1 tablespoon white miso

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

2 teaspoons pure water

¼ teaspoon wasabi powder

1 teaspoon avocado oil 

Procedure:

1. Wash and slice Brussels sprouts into strips with chef’s knife. If you have a food processor, save time by running your sprouts through the shredder blade. Place them in large glass bowl.

2. In a small bowl, mix together sauce ingredients. Set aside.

3. Heat skillet to medium-high and then add oil. Place sliced green onion and brussels sprouts into pan. Sear veggies for 2 to 3 minutes and then stir. Sear another 3 minutes and then stir. Repeat one more time and remove from heat.

4. Fold in sauce. Serve warm.

Spicy Chermoula!

Jennifer Leave a comment

chermoula

While working at Dimes in NYC, I’ve been learning quite a bit. The menu draws inspiration from various types of cuisine. I had never heard of chermoula before, but have had to make it for the restaurant a few times and finally made my own version of it at home. It originates from Morocco and is traditionally used as an herb marinade for fish or seafood. Similar to a pesto or chimichurri, this can be used as a sauce on veggies, eggs, chicken, fish, or mixed into grains or pasta for an instant flavor upgrade 🙂

Spicy Chermoula

Yield: about 1 pint

Ingredients:

4 cloves of garlic

1 habanero pepper, seeded

1 red hot cherry pepper, seeded

1 bunch cilantro

1 bunch parsley

4-5 large curly kale leaves, de-stemmed

1/4 cup lemon juice

1/4 cup olive oil

2 teaspoons cumin seed, toasted and ground

1 teaspoon fennel seed, toasted and ground

1/2 teaspoon coriander seed, toasted and ground

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Procedure:

1. Process everything in the food processor. The herbs and kale may have to be added in batches. For a smoother chermoula, use a Vitamix. 2. Adjust olive oil for smoother, looser consistency

Cauliflower Couscous!

Jennifer Leave a comment

cauliflower couscous

While in culinary school, one of my classmates mentioned making a cauliflower fried rice which sounded really interesting. That’s what prompted me to try this unique recipe. Cauliflower is a cancer-fighting crucifer and an excellent source of Vitamins C and K. Even my Mom, who is always skeptical of my healthy food, liked it! Success!

Cauliflower Couscous

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

1 head cauliflower, broken into florets

½ cup almonds, toasted and roughly chopped

1 bunch cilantro, de-stemmed

1 bunch parsley, de-stemmed

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Juice of 1 lemon

¼ cup sliced habanero-stuffed green olives

Salt and pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. In a separate large bowl, make an ice bath.

2. While the water is heating, place some of the cauliflower florets in a food processor. Working in batches, pulse until the cauliflower has broken down into coarse pieces around the same size as couscous.

3. Transfer the cauliflower to a large fine-mesh strainer and carefully submerge into boiling water for 1 minute. Transfer the cauliflower (still in the strainer) to the ice bath until completely cool; remove and drain well. Place the cauliflower onto a clean kitchen towel and squeeze to remove excess moisture.

4. Mince the parsley and cilantro leaves in food processor.

5. In a large bowl, whisk the olive oil, red pepper flakes, and lemon juice. Then add cauliflower, almonds, cilantro, parsley, and olives. Stir together ingredients, breaking up any clumps of cauliflower.

My favorite green smoothie!

Jennifer 1 Comment

Happy New Year!! This is my go-to breakfast during the week. Not only is it quick to prepare and delicious, but it’s easy to transport to the office in a mason jar. It’s full of superfoods and a great way to start your day!

Bonus: No need for highly-processed protein powder! Pumpkin seeds are high in protein and this smoothie packs 17 grams of protein!

Superfood Smoothie

1 1/2 cups coconut water

1 ripe banana

1/4 cup pumpkin seeds (pepitas)

1 tablespoon chia seeds or flax seeds

1/2-1 teaspoon cinnamon

2 cups curly kale, de-stemmed (about 2-3 large leaves)

Blend all ingredients in Vitamix or other powerful blender. Enjoy!

Welcome!

Jennifer Leave a comment

This past January, I was frustrated with my finance job and felt a strong need to do something different that I love. While I’ve always loved to cook and bake, I was constantly adjusting my lifestyle to make it healthier. In the new year, I attended an open house at the Natural Gourmet Institute and was immediately drawn to the school. The curriculum, which consists of both health classes as well as health-supportive cooking was perfect for me. Two weeks later, I was in class with a great group of girls, all working in different fields. I had intended on starting a blog to document the journey through our year in culinary school, but found myself way too swamped with the part-time program in addition to my full-time job. Here I am, freshly graduated from the program and ready to share helpful and healthful posts 🙂