Sweet Potato & Tuscan Chicken Chili

As a foodie, I find inspiration everywhere!  This time I found my inspiration in a support group.  This group is about starting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.  We technically call it a "weightloss" group, but I hope I can speak for most of us, when I say, it seems to be much more than that for me.  So many of the women are up honest and up front about the good, the bad and the ugly of changing their lives to become more healthy!  Whether it is to lose a few pounds, or to eat better or whatever their goal is we are a group that is motivated and encouraging.  I always appreciate that support in my journey.  One of the ladies posted a picture of her dinner which was recommended by her cousin (Melanie Edwards) and it looked delish!  Her dish included sweet potatoes, turkey, italian tomatoes and black beans.  I wasn't quite sure how to accomplish this, so I attempted my own and not only was I surprised about the combination with the sweet potatoes but it was so filling and yummy!

1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp lemon olive oil
3 small or 1 large sweet potato - washed and small diced
1 lb tuscan chicken sausage **
1 can fire roasted diced tomatoes
1 c chicken stock
1 c drained and rinsed black beans
3 hot cherry peppers - diced (no seeds)
 S&P

Add olive oil and the small diced sweet potato and S&P to a cast iron chicken fryer on medium heat.  Saute' for about 5-7 minutes. Then add the lemon olive oil and the chicken sausage.  Cook the sausage until it starts to brown and is in small pieces.  Then add the tomatoes, beans cherry peppers and chicken stock.  Cook on medium to medium low heat for 15 to 20 minutes until the sweet potatoes are soft.  The key to this is making sure that the dice on the sweet potatoes is small and fairly uniform.  This helps them cook evenly and around the same time.  I try to dice mine to about a 1/2 inch.

** If you can't find the Tuscan Chicken Sausage (I get it at Roma's Imports in Latham, NY:  http://www.romafoods.com/) then you can use ground chicken with 1-2 tbsp Italian Seasoning and 1/2 tsp garlic powder.)

Share & Enjoy!!

Chicken Riggies

The first two years I lived in NY were spent traveling... traveling between Albany and Syracuse and between Albany and Plattsburgh, NY.  At this point I was not Gluten Free so I tried many new dishes that included an amazing amount of pasta dishes. Between Albany and Syracuse are a couple of towns known as Utica and Rome, NY.  The area is known for Utica Greens and Chicken Riggies. These are just two of the spectacular dishes that I tried and loved while traveling back and forth.  Upon my diagnosis (as you will often find in the blog), I shied away from trying to recreate dishes that were favorites or something I wasn't sure could be "just as good GF".  Now after a couple of years, I feel better about taking the leap!  This is one that I am so excited that I tried and succeeded at!

** Sorry, I didn't have any GF Rigatoni, so I used the only GF pasta I had... It was still delish!! **

1 lb Rigatoni
2 lbs chicken breast  (cut in small chunks)
2 Roasted Red Peppers (1/2" slices)
1 - 28 oz can San Marzano Tomatoes (whole)
7-10 hot cherry peppers (rough chopped)
5 cloves garlic (minced)
1 cup Romano cheese (grated)
1 cup Cooking Sherry Wine + 1/2 cup water
4 tbsp EVOO
4 tbsp butter
1/4-1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tsp Basil
Pinch of Salt

In a heavy stock pot (I used a cast iron dutch oven) add 2 tbsp of the olive oil and 4 cloves of the garlic over low heat.  Don't let the garlic burn and then add the tomatoes, sherry wine and water.  Simmer for about 5 minutes.  Add the butter, basil and salt.  Turn it down and let it simmer on low.  In a separate skillet add the chicken to brown over medium heat.  Once it is almost brown, add the roasted red peppers, hot cherry peppers and the last minced garlic clove.  Saute' for a couple more minutes.  (I turned to medium low and cooked about 5 minutes).  In the sauce pot, smash the tomatoes with a potato masher carefully and stir in the cream.  Add the cheese and then the chicken and peppers.  Simmer on low while cooking the pasta to al dente.  Toss the pasta with the sauce and serve romano cheese on top.

This should serve 4-6.

As you can tell, I modified the recipe just a bit.  I actually used: 5 peppers because they were fairly large and 1/2 c of the heavy cream.  I also used I also used a bit more basil because I thought it needed it.  I love, love, love roasted red pepper and sliced mine into 1/2 inch slices instead of chopping them into chunks.

These are the hot cherry peppers that I bought.  I found them at the local Italian Market.  They are usually available in the International Foods isle at the grocery store.

Here is the link for the original recipe that I started from... Please Share & Enjoy!!

The Brooklyn Ragazza: Utica Chicken Riggies

GF Pound Cake with Balsamic Strawberries

Amazing! Divine!  Perfect!  Okay, enough about me :)  Now, that you have laughed really hard, if you have ever read any of my posts you know that I traditionally don't bake.  I am scared of it.  In the past I have tried and tried again, but even before I found out I had Celiac, baking was not something I was particularly good out, unless it was something I had been doing since I was a kid.

So, when I get the wild hair and decide it is time yet again, to waste expensive ingredients and try, I pray the end result is actually edible.  In this case.... WOW!  BOOM!! POW!!!  I DID IT!!!

Total Disclaimer:  This is not my recipe.  I found the cake recipe on Pinterest.  I will include the information from the webpage and the link also.  The only think I did to make it my own was to serve with Balsamic Strawberries.

Link:  http://glutenfreeeasily.com/perfect-pound-cake/

Author: Shirley Braden of Gluten Free Easily

 

Ingredients

• 2 ¼ cups gluten-free flour **
• 1 ½ tsp xanthan gum**
• 1 ¼ tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¾ cup light olive oil
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 2 tbsp orange juice
• 2 tsp vanilla extract 
• 3 large eggs
• ⅔ cup full-fat coconut milk 

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. (Update: Reader Wendy lives at a higher altitude—6600 ft—and she adjusted oven temperature to 375 degrees, per her comment below.) Grease two loaf pans or grease and flour (use gluten-free flour) a Bundt pan.
2. Combine flour, xanthan gum, sea salt, and baking powder in an extra large measuring cup or separate bowl. Set aside.
3. Pour olive oil into large bowl, and slowly mix in sugar, orange juice, and vanilla extract.
4. Add eggs one at a time, stirring after each addition.
5. Add milk. Mix 2 minutes. Gradually add dry ingredients into wet ingredients, mixing well.
6. Pour batter into loaf pans or Bundt pan.
7. Bake for 50 – 55 minutes.
8. If using a Bundt pan let set for 10 minutes before flipping to cool.  

** I used Authentic Foods Baking Mix with Xantham Gum included.  This means I left out the additional Xantham Gum. **

Balsamic Strawberries

1 lb Container Strawberries - washed, hulled and sliced

1/4 c 18 year Balsamic Vinegar

1 tbsp Coconut Sugar

Add all ingredients to a bowl, stir to combine and cover and refrigerate until just before serving.  

Non-Cooking: Buffet Transformation

After recently having to have some major home repairs done, including a wall taken down and put back up in my dining room, I have learned to have faith in myself in things other than cooking! I wanted to find a piece of furniture to make this dining room my own.  I was so excited that during another remodel project I discovered the local Habitat for Humanity Store in Albany, NY.  I was fortunate to find a solid wood buffet/dresser which was very inexpensive but yet in great condition despite the horrible color (green).  After begging a friend with a truck to help me go pick it up, I then realized how LARGE and HEAVY it was, but with a bit of determination and a couple of stops along the highway to adjust the drawers to keep from losing them we made it!

Before

After letting it sit in the garage for a couple weeks and searching out paint and what I actually wanted to do with it I discovered Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.  The closest location for me was Bennington, VT.  This trip included a local antique store (to purchase the paint), the covered bridges and local lore of the town and many pictures!

Upon my return, I pulled out the picture I was using as inspiration and I asked a friend if I could borrow a sander.  Yes, Heather used a power tool... I already had a cold, so why not add to it with a bit of dust!  I anticipated a quick sanding of the top to get the green color off and then I could stain the top a bit darker.  What happened was I discovered, 2 layers of paint on top of this amazing wood.  So I sanded to the actual wood.  Three hours later, sand in my hair I trucked to the hardware store.  I am fairly certain I scared the employee in the paint section, when I asked for stain and what type of paint brush I needed.  Then I told him I was going to put wax on the top so I did not need anything to seal the stain.

After 2 coats of stain, the wood absorbed everything I put on, so I decided to add one more to even it out.  The third coat made it!  While the overnight drying began I started removing hardware and painting the drawers and base of the buffet.  After a couple days of painting and drying the base and drawers were painted.  Finally I could move everything in doors to wax and have my garage back for my car.  :)

I followed the directions (which most of you know, I rarely do), applying a coat of clear wax, buffing and then applying a coat of dark wax.  This is a tedious process but made the outcome spectacular!

I hope that you enjoyed something other than a cooking and/or Celiac post!  This was so much fun and I wanted to share it!  :)

After

Fresh Fruit Water

If you are anything like me, you could probably drink more water.  It would be better for you and you would probably feel much better!  I have realized, especially during the winter, when the temperature is sub zero, my skin and my body feels even drier.  But I don't want to drink water.  I want to drink anything but water.  After willing spring to get here, and buying some fruit that wasn't necessarily as sweet as I would have wanted (and seeing all types of pictures on Pinterest) I created all types of flavored waters on my own!  I drank all of them and more this week!  It was a total hit and became quite the joke at my office with all the trips I made to the fridge to refill my cup :)

I recycled glass pasta sauce jars that are 24 oz each.  I made 5 jars and 1 plastic pitcher that I used in the morning and the evenings when I was home. 

2 strawberries - thinly slices
4 fresh mint leaves
1 orange - rinsed and sliced with skin on
1 lemon - rinsed and sliced with skin on
2 limes - rinsed and sliced with skin on
2 pieces of pineapple
Filtered Water

Jar #1 - Strawberries and Mint
Jar #2 - 2 slices Orange
Jar #3 - 1 Lime
Jar #4 - Pineapple
Jar #5 - 2 slices Orange and Lemon
Pitcher - Rest of Citrus


I used my Brita to fill each jar and the pitcher with filtered water.  Since the jars are 24 oz, you are already getting a head start of water.  I refilled each of the jars 2X a day and they lasted in the refrigerator 3-4 days.  I don't know if they would last longer but I drank them that quickly. 

** I use Organic Produce when I am going to use the skin or when I purchase it the grocery store.  I try to support the local farmers markets but in the winter that brings me mostly potatoes :) **

Share & Enjoy!!

Buffalo Roasted Chick Peas

In case it hasn't been apparent, I went thru a "buffalo everything" phase.  It could have been because of the amount of football I was watching or because I was trying to eat something besides chicken but I have found that I love, love, love these buffalo chick peas!  They are super simple and very filling.  I promise you will be making a double batch the next time!!  Hope you share & enjoy!

1 large can chick peas, drained and rinsed

1/8 cup Franks Red Hot

Preheat oven to 400. Drain and rinse the chick peas.  Add them to a cookie sheet.  Drizzle the Franks Red Hot over the chick peas.  Shake the pan to coat.  Bake for 15 minutes.  Toss and bake another 15 minutes.  Remove and let set for 5 minutes.  Serve with Ranch or just plain.  

** You can add the chick peas and the Franks Red Hot to a ziploc bag and shake for a more even coating.  I just find it to be more clean up, so I just roll them around on the pan for a bit before I put them in the oven. **

The Journey to Wellness...

Three years ago went to visit my family in Texas, I did not have any idea how drastically my life would change.  There is no way to express how thankful I am for the help that my friends and family have provided me since the MD said "In order to find out what is wrong with you, you will need to start on an elimination diet immediately!"  Thankfully the elimination diet was only for 6 months and after that I was able to go to a strictly Gluten Free (GF) diet with some other minor modification.  It truly is Mind over Matter!  Looking back on the past three years I have accomplished so many things:

• Started Working Out:  This is part of my new life!  When I don't work out, I don't feel good, so I work out 4-5 times per week.  Whether I am in the gym, walking the neighborhood, going for a hike, or running, I try to find  away to be active! 
• Running:  This is an accomplishment in itself :)  For the girl who even in high school was held back by fear of everything, I never thought I could do this!  I may not do it as fast, or in the time that others do it, but I do it!  That is what matters!! I even run 5K's and a 4 miler for time on July 4th! 
• Made New Friends:  I have made friends in the most random places... restaurants when I have to ask for a GF menu, places that I shop because people have noticed the changes in me and more!
• Learned to Speak Up:  Someone said to me the other day, when he says he has Celiac people look at him like he has the plague.  Celiac is NOT contagious!  But, there are so many people who are curious.  Learn to educate them.  I learned to share my story and the resources that I have found along the way.  If I can help one person to feel better I have made a difference. 
• Just because it is Expensive DOES NOT make it taste better: Early in a diagnosis, most people (myself included) think everything GF has to be expensive.  This is not the case.  Fruits, veggies and lean means (nothing added) do not have to be expensive.  Buy what is on sale and shop smart.  When it comes to purchasing pastas and other products such as cereals and bagels, etc., shop around.  Buy a variety of items and try them.  Find which ones are your favorites.  If it happens to be an expensive one, then buy it, but that is not always the case. 
• Adapting:  I have learned to adapt in more ways than one.  I feel so good when I learn to adapt old recipes into something that I can eat and they actually taste good :) 
• Health:  Healthwise, I feel wonderful!  I have so much energy.  I do things three years ago I would have never even thought about doing!  I am so thankful that food is my biggest battle! 
• Best Accomplishment to Date: With all the changes that I have made, I have lost 90 pounds!  I never thought that this would happen.  Taking each day one day at a time and realizing that some days are good days and some are not as good in this battle to be healthy and maintain the weight loss are the most important parts of this... don't give up and keep going.  One.  Day.  At.  A.  Time!!

I want to say THANK YOU to everyone who has supported me the last three years!  Your kind words, prayers, encouraging thoughts, emails, messages, letters, and phone calls have been so much a part of helping me make it this far!  I am thankful to have each and everyone of you in my life!