Notifications
Clear all

Cooking for Newbies

 
MemberMember
410
(@alternativista)

Posted : 05/01/2009 10:27 am

 

 

Please post detailed instructions, simple recipes ideally no more than 2 pots/processes going on, tips, etc.

 

See also this post on getting started. And elsewhere in that thread there are links to threads on all kinds of recipes, meal ideas, best cooking methods, beneficial nutrients and how to get them, etc.

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Starting off with the suggestion that you buy a portion or two of salmon when it's on sale and have the supermarket seafood department steam cook it for you. Do this first and they can cook it while you shop. It takes 12-20 minutes, but I've found that the store that tells me it takes 20 minutes over cooks it.

 

Then you can go home and have with some bagged salad, sauteed spinach, or steamed broccoli for example.

 

To steam veggies, you need a steam basket inserted into your cooking pot. There's all kinds. The cheapest is probably the stainless steel collapsible kind with flower petals that fold open to fit any pot. My favorite is my new silicone version which is much easier to clean.

 

Anyway, put about an inch of water in the pot, then the basket, then your chopped fresh or frozen broccoli. Boil until it begins to turn bright green. Stop when it's tender enough for your taste, but if the color begins to dull and turn brown, definitely stop. That means nutrients have been destroyed. Try to cook fruit and veggies as little as possible to preserve nutrients.

Quote
MemberMember
0
(@charliieee)

Posted : 05/01/2009 11:14 am

When preparing legumes or whole grains, soak them over night. Change the water before and after cooking them, as this will aid in digestibility and decrease the gas associated particularly with legumes.

Adding a piece of seaweed while boiling releases even more of the starch, but you can use a sprinkle of baking soda instead too.

Quote
MemberMember
0
(@electric_feel)

Posted : 05/01/2009 11:37 am

Starting off with the suggestion that you buy a portion or two of salmon when it's on sale and have the supermarket seafood department steam cook it for you.

They'll cook it for you at the supermarket? I have never heard of that.

Quote
MemberMember
410
(@alternativista)

Posted : 05/01/2009 1:15 pm

Starting off with the suggestion that you buy a portion or two of salmon when it's on sale and have the supermarket seafood department steam cook it for you.

They'll cook it for you at the supermarket? I have never heard of that.

 

 

Yes, most supermarket seafood departments will steam anything they sell. I've done it at three different chains. And my sister who live elsewhere does it all the time at completely different supermarket chains.

They even have an assortment of seasonings to sprinkle on it.

 

Quote
MemberMember
0
(@electric_feel)

Posted : 05/01/2009 1:37 pm

Starting off with the suggestion that you buy a portion or two of salmon when it's on sale and have the supermarket seafood department steam cook it for you.

They'll cook it for you at the supermarket? I have never heard of that.

 

 

Yes, most supermarket seafood departments will steam anything they sell. I've done it at three different chains. And my sister who live elsewhere does it all the time at completely different supermarket chains.

They even have an assortment of seasonings to sprinkle on it.

 

 

Cool, I love salmon!

 

Quote
MemberMember
410
(@alternativista)

Posted : 05/01/2009 1:51 pm

When preparing legumes or whole grains, soak them over night. Change the water before and after cooking them, as this will aid in digestibility and decrease the gas associated particularly with legumes.

Adding a piece of seaweed while boiling releases even more of the starch, but you can use a sprinkle of baking soda instead too.

 

You can also add some whey when you soak it. If you keep yogurt or cottage cheese on hand, just pour a little of the whey that's separated out. Or apparently anything acidic will help the breakdown hence the whey, but also buttermilk, lemon, etc.

 

I also always add 2-4 cloves of garlic. You want to chop fine or crush and let sit for at least 5 minutes, 10-15 is better before cooking. If you want to put it in whole so you can remove it, then crush it good with the side of your knife or something, then let sit. Lots of garlic will mean you'll need less salt.

 

Also, whfoods.org says not to add salt until after cooking. But I find that doesn't work. You need to add some salt during cooking.

Quote
MemberMember
410
(@alternativista)

Posted : 05/01/2009 2:32 pm

Edit: due to BPA endocrine disrupting plastic lining in cans/tins, I don't recommend using canned tomatoes for sauce or soup, and no longer do so. You can get decent sauces in glass jars. Just read the label to make sure it only contains food. Tomatoes, garlic, salt, onions, spices, oil.

 

To make tomato sauce or tomato soup. For the lycopene that not only protects you from sun damage, it's anti-androgenic.

 

Don't buy jarred sauce. Buy canned tomatoes. If you like chunky sauce get diced tomatoes. If you have an aversion to chunky sauce, buy crushed or pureed tomatoes.

 

Saute some chopped onions and garlic in a suitable cooking oil. Add the tomatoes, dried Italian spices which you can get together as Italian Seasoning, then simmer for a while. This really only takes 10-15 minutes. Drizzle on some olive oil when done. Also add some chopped fresh basil if you have it. It's easy to grow, btw.

 

To get the nutritional benefit from the onions and garlic, chop fine or crush ahead of time and let sit for at least 5 minutes, longer is better, before cooking.

 

Throw in a little spinach from your bagged salad or from bags of frozen greens near the end. The raw spinach will wilt down to nearly nothing. The frozen already is wilted. You'll hardly taste it in the garlicky tomato sauce, so it's a good way to get these super nutritious foods.

 

To get a stronger, slow cooked, long simmered taste, get a can of tomato paste and add a spoonful. Put the rest in the freezer. I freeze the leftovers in the can, then take it out, open the bottom, push it out and slice into 1/2 inch or so slices and put it back in the freezer in a baggy.

 

Use the sauce on pasta, grilled eggplant, whatever pizza like concoctions you come up with, etc.

 

To turn into soup, add more water. And if you eat yogurt, add a spoonful when serving to make it like a cream soup. And of course, drizzle on some olive oil.

 

Caution: Tomatoes and other nightshades are common allergens so watch for that.

Quote
MemberMember
9
(@celloislove)

Posted : 05/01/2009 6:23 pm

Delicious, easy dinner.

 

1 c. Brown rice

2 c. water

1/3 c edemame

Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)

Other Veggies

Sauces, seasoning, etc.

 

Put the rice into a saucepan, and add two cups of water. Turn on the heat, and put a lid on the pot. Bring to a boil, then lower heat slightly to allow the water to simmer (lightly boil) for about 15 minutes, or until the rice is cooked. Keep an eye on it, but lift the lid as little as possible.

 

In another pan, lightly saute your edemame (a type of soybean) as well as any other veggies you'd like to add, in canola oil. You're the cook. Add chopped green beans, peas, bell peppers, spinach; anything. You could also add some leftover lean meat, some shrimp, whatever. Don't overcook the veggies; just until their colors brighten. Don't let them get brown.

 

Mix the rice and sauteed veggies/etc. to the rice. Add about a tablespoon (more/less), and whatever seasonings you might like. I like hot sauce, maybe a little garlic and a splash of soy sauce (not too much!), some sesame oil, and maybe some fire oil.

 

Have fun!

Quote
MemberMember
410
(@alternativista)

Posted : 05/01/2009 6:38 pm

Buy veggies frozen and just pour some out of a bag whenever you need them all chopped and ready to go. Frozen veggies are cheap and often on sale.

 

Frozen is better than the 'fresh' produce at the typical supermarket because those foods are picked under ripe, stored and trucked all over the country possibly after being shipped from around the world. They claim frozen foods are picked at their peak of ripeness and frozen promptly.

 

Frozen is also handy because you can keep things on hand ready to cook whenever you have the time. You may also be able to get organic things much cheaper than fresh.

 

Of course, by fresh whatever you prefer fresh and can get eaten before it spoils. I personally, am only able to juggle so many perishable foods. I'm getting better at it though. And some things last longer than others of course. Like apples, sweet potatoes, usually hard things.

 

They have blends of frozen veggies chopped up and ready for soup, grilling/broiling, or the basis of recipes like the 'cajun trinity' of bell pepper, onion and celery or the 'French trinity' of onion, carrot and celery. I highly recommend keeping bags of frozen chopped greens on hand to add to soups, pasta sauce, cooked legumes, stir fry, curry, etc.

 

Get bags, not boxes, so it's easier to use just what you need. Plus it helps you tell if it's ever been defrosted and refrozen. Everything inside the bag should be loose.

Quote
MemberMember
0
(@foofoodafoo)

Posted : 05/02/2009 1:25 pm

To make tomato sauce or tomato soup. For the lycopene that not only protects you from sun damage, it's anti-androgenic.

 

Don't buy jarred sauce. Buy canned tomatoes. If you like chunky sauce get diced tomatoes. If you have an aversion to chunky sauce, buy crushed or pureed tomatoes.

 

Saute some chopped onions and garlic in a suitable cooking oil. Add the tomatoes, dried Italian spices which you can get together as Italian Seasoning, then simmer for a while. This really only takes 10-15 minutes. Drizzle on some olive oil when done. Also add some chopped fresh basil if you have it. It's easy to grow, btw.

 

To get the nutritional benefit from the onions and garlic, chop fine or crush ahead of time and let sit for at least 5 minutes, longer is better, before cooking.

 

Throw in a little spinach from your bagged salad or from bags of frozen greens near the end. The raw spinach will wilt down to nearly nothing. The frozen already is wilted. You'll hardly taste it in the garlicky tomato sauce, so it's a good way to get these super nutritious foods.

 

To get a stronger, slow cooked, long simmered taste, get a can of tomato paste and add a spoonful. Put the rest in the freezer. I freeze the leftovers in the can, then take it out, open the bottom, push it out and slice into 1/2 inch or so slices and put it back in the freezer in a baggy.

 

Use the sauce on pasta, grilled eggplant, whatever pizza like concoctions you come up with, etc.

 

To turn into soup, add more water. And if you eat yogurt, add a spoonful when serving to make it like a cream soup. And of course, drizzle on some olive oil.

 

Caution: Tomatoes and other nightshades are common allergens so watch for that.

 

I was wondering what kind of brown rice?

 

I have brown rice at home but I don't really don't know which is the best one to buy.

 

 

Quote
MemberMember
410
(@alternativista)

Posted : 05/03/2009 10:46 am

I was wondering what kind of brown rice?

 

I have brown rice at home but I don't really don't know which is the best one to buy.

 

Well, the post you quoted has nothing to do with rice, but for a lower GI, look for Basmati. White basmati has a lower GI than many other brown rices. Brown basmati, if you can find it, would be better yet.

 

What's even better, is quinoa, which is a seed that is complete protein.

Quote
MemberMember
410
(@alternativista)

Posted : 05/21/2009 10:10 am

About microwave cooking. Over cooking and cooking in a lot of water have the biggest impact on nutrient destruction whether on the stove top, oven, grill or in a microwave.

 

Article on microwave cooking:

http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=georg...ign=daily_email

 

Important points about microwaves, from the article and the laws of physics:

 

Radiation is how energy travels. All energy. X-rays, gamma rays, sunlight, heat, radio, etc. Microwaves are at the opposite end of the spectrum from the dangerous forms, farther than light.

 

Avoid using plastic. Use glass and safe ceramics instead.

 

Microwaves tend to cook unevenly causing concerns with the destruction of bacteria. There is also an unconfirmed possibility that it does something to protein. So microwaves are not the best choice for cooking raw meats, fish chicken, etc.

 

Use them for reheating and things you can stir at least once during cooking: steaming veggies, and cooking veggie casserole type things. (But they won't brown)

 

As in all cooking methods, avoid overcooking. Use short increments of time and check for doneness.

Quote
MemberMember
2
(@kaleidoscope)

Posted : 05/21/2009 1:26 pm

Don't buy jarred sauce. Buy canned tomatoes.

 

The only problem with that is that the cans have BPA, and the acidity of the tomatoes means that more BPA leeches out of the can than with most other foods. Not a big deal if it's an occasional thing, but I wouldn't use them on a regular basis. Eden Organics uses BPA-free cans, but their canned tomatoes are really expensive. When I used to eat tomato sauce, I'd just get jarred. I was able to get good quality stuff for a decent price.

Quote
MemberMember
410
(@alternativista)

Posted : 06/23/2009 5:04 pm

Don't buy jarred sauce. Buy canned tomatoes.

 

The only problem with that is that the cans have BPA, and the acidity of the tomatoes means that more BPA leeches out of the can than with most other foods. Not a big deal if it's an occasional thing, but I wouldn't use them on a regular basis. Eden Organics uses BPA-free cans, but their canned tomatoes are really expensive. When I used to eat tomato sauce, I'd just get jarred. I was able to get good quality stuff for a decent price.

 

 

Yeah, that's true. But I've never tasted an edible jarred sauce. If you have a recommendation, I'd like it, but I'd still rather make my own. It's too bad that jarred tomatoes aren't often available. I try to get as many as I can from my Grandmother though. And supposedly those cardboard cartons are good, but don't think I've seen tomatoes packaged that way either. It's kind of goofy that you can get all kinds of crappy processed foods in glass and the boxes, but rarely plain tomatoes. And tomatoes are the only canned food I want.

 

Also, now that they are in season and you can probably get local and even organic cheap, an easy way to use fresh tomatoes for sauce is to cut in half, then grate them cut side first into a bowl. You end up leaving the peel behind which is usually desired in tomato sauce. That Spanish chef with the PBS show demonstrated this on Martha Stewart.

 

You can also freeze fresh tomatoes with little effort for use in future sauces. Just cut them in usable chunks and you can spread them out on a dish or cookie sheet to freeze, then put them in freezer bags. And when they defrost, you can easily pick off the skins.

Genreal rule for freezing. You want it to happen as fast as possible to reduce damage. You can't flash freeze like industries do, but the next best thing is to get the prepared (cut up or whatever) food as cold as possible first by putting it in the coldest part of the fridge (the bottom) for a while, then promptly put into the coldest part of the freezer which is also the bottom. Spread out in a single layer on a pan, then you can bag them up once frozen.

Quote
MemberMember
410
(@alternativista)

Posted : 06/23/2009 5:14 pm

Cooking Light Magazine's cooking classes. Basic techniques like sauteing, steaming, stir frying etc.

 

http://www.cookinglight.com/cooking-101/te...00400000032930/

 

Unfortunately, cooking light is more about low fat than low sugar. But the lessons are useful.

Quote
MemberMember
410
(@alternativista)

Posted : 06/24/2009 1:02 pm

Get a George Foreman type electric grill that cooks from top and bottom at the same time. This makes it easy to prevent overcooking.

 

And small or delicate things like fish and small veggies can't fall through reducing frustration. And you can use it year round.

 

Make easy meals by grilling chicken breasts, fish, veggies like tomatoes, squash, onions. Marinate in olive oil, lemon juice and spices (vinaigrette or even bottle Italian dressing). You can also grill fruits for dessert.

 

See the Cooking light classes in the previous post for marinating and grilling lessons and recipes.

 

I clicked around a bit for some simple ones:

Chicken skewers

 

Shrimp

Quote
MemberMember
410
(@alternativista)

Posted : 08/11/2009 12:34 pm

Link to other threads on recipes, meal suggestions, nutrients, cooking methods, etc.

 

http://www.acne.org/messageboard/Food-and-...ce-t205099.html

 

 

Quote
MemberMember
410
(@alternativista)

Posted : 08/11/2009 12:46 pm

Ways to get started cooking healthy meals - Under development. This is copied from a response I made to someone's thread. Yeah, I know it can use some reorganization...

 

On the cheap, with minimal equipment, supplies, time etc.

 

The best cooking methods are those that do not involve browning or charring, especially regarding meats, and don't involve overcooking or washing away vitamins in veggies.

 

Steaming-

Poaching-

Boiling-

Sauteing-

stir-fry-

grill/broiling - But minimize browning in meats

 

There are plenty of things you can make that hardly take any time. I'm a huge fan of one dish, one process cooking. Mostly so I don't have much to clean up, but also nowadays, to conserve energy and preserve nutrients.

 

Can you boil water? You can boil or poach chicken or make soups. Steam veggies and fish. Get a steamer basket to insert into your pots. These are usually stainless steel, but they now make silicone versions that are easier to clean. And of course, there are the Asian bamboo baskets.

 

Do you have a broiler? You can put veggies and fish or shrimp on the same pan and pop in the broiler and it can be done in less than 5 minutes. You can broil anything you'd grill. You could also get a George Foreman or similar electric grill. Note: The terms Broil and grill mean the opposite in the U.K. vs the U.S. In the U.S. broil means under the heat, grill means over the heat.

 

Frozen veggies

Do you have a freezer? Buy veggies frozen and just pour some out of a bag. They have blends of frozen veggies chopped up and ready for soup, grilling/broiling, or the basis of recipes like the 'cajun trinity' of bell pepper, onion and celery or the 'French trinity' of onion, carrot and celery. I highly recommend keeping bags of frozen chopped greens on hand to add to soups, pasta sauce, cooked legumes, etc. Get bags, not boxes so it's easier to use just what you need. Plus it helps you tell if it's ever been defrosted.

 

Anyway the frozen veggies are cheap and often on sale. The bags of mixed veggies were on sale for $1 each yesterday.

 

Of course, by fresh whatever you prefer fresh and can get eaten before it spoils. I personally, am only able to juggle so many perishable foods. I'm getting better at it though. Some things last longer than others of course. Like apples, sweet potatoes, usually hard things.

 

Lemons and limes are great to have for seasoning. The best seasoning there is, I say. I squeeze some on veggies, fish, chicken, especially when in tacos, and in soups, especially hispanic style soups. There's some evidence that they can help fight the free radicals that may have been created in cooking from bad fats or from charring. Lemon also reduces the need for salt as citrus stimulates the same taste buds or something as salt.

 

Fish and shrimp are not so cheap, but watch for sales on wild salmon. Also, most seafood departments will steam cook anything for you for free. So you can buy some salmon, have them cook it and all you have to do is go home and eat it. Buy a bag of baby spinach or salad greens to go with it.

 

Canned salmon and mackerel are cheap and low in mercury, unlike canned tuna. Use like canned tuna or make fish cakes with them. They do have bones and a bit of skin which you can either pick out or ignore what it looks like and stir it in. The bones are soft and it's all edible and good for you. Fish bones have all the nutrients your bones need. Great source for calcium.

 

Herbs and Spices -

You can buy blends of spices and dried herbs cheap, like Italian Seasoning which has all the basic dry Italian herbs in one bottle. Bay Seasoning for seafood, which you can get free in little packets in the seafood department. Menudo Seasoning is a good one if you have Hispanic products in your markets. It's oregano, red pepper flakes and salt. My stores all have them in small plastic envelopes for .99 - 1.99. Of course with any you end up using a lot, buy them individually, buy them fresh, grow them, etc.

 

Cooking/Eating utensils.

Use the least reactive materials which leach the least amount of chemicals into your food or water. These are glass, ceramics (not glazed with anything toxic) and stainless steel. I recommend you drink from glass as much as possible, use stainless steel pots, pans and baking dishes, and pyrex bowls and baking dishes.

 

Pyrex glass cooking pots are also good and they are easy to clean. I see them in thrift stores all the time. Don't get the skillets though. That bumpy bottom makes things stick.

 

There's a new type of nonstick pan out that's not supposed to emit VOCs and be safer at high heat. Martha Stewart has one available at Macy's. Get it when Macy's has coupons.

 

Also, look through all these new silicone cooking things. They have a steamer insert out now that you just stuff into the pot. It's much easier to clean than those collapsible steamer baskets that can get stuff stuck between the petals and can rust.

 

Knives- You only need two. A Chef's knife or equivalent like a Japanese santoku knife and a smaller paring knife.

 

Cooking Oil - Now this is controversial. But just for preventing foods from sticking when sauteing, grilling, broiling etc, I say the most important thing is to use an oil with a high enough smoking point and NOT a highly processed fat like margarine or crisco. Oils with high smoking points are animal fats like butter or ghee, coconut oil, grape seed, canola, peanut oil, non EV Olive Oil. Oils should be in dark bottles or in tins. Store in the dark.

 

But then there's the controversy over the healthfulness of some plant oils. You really don't want to consume a lot of polyunsaturated fats which means most vegetable oils and includes canola oil, corn oil, generic vegetable oil. Read more about cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, and cooking oils.

 

And there are some oils that should be heated very little to not at all such as EVOO, walnut oil, flax seed oil, sesame oil. These are used in salad dressing or added after cooking. EVOO can be used in low heat cooking but it reduces the nutritional benefit.

Quote
MemberMember
410
(@alternativista)

Posted : 01/20/2010 9:47 am

Here. I just wrote this for someone who PM'd me about cooking fava beans. I'll probably come back and edit it soon.

 

-------------------------

 

Cooking dried beans

 

I mostly cook giant lima beans, not fava. They are way cheaper. The ones I get from Whole foods are called Giant Peruvian Limas. And I get something else unknown from Mexican markets. There are many types. They are eaten a lot in the Mediterranean too.

 

I cook them the way I cook all dried legumes.

 

Soak them. If you have something with whey like my homemade yogurt, you could add a little when they soak. That helps start breaking them down according to the Weston Price people. And I think anything else acidic will do as well. Drain the soaking liquid and rinse a few times. You might even drain and rinse once or twice during the soaking process to rinse away the phytates and lectins and whatever other protective toxin the seeds have.

 

I then add water to cover along with a lot of onions and garlic. For the most flavor, you can saute the onions and carrots or other hard veggies you might want to add. Add a little salt when you saute the onions. Then add the beans and water, cover and simmer until done. Add a little more salt after it reaches boiling point. A rapid boil will make beans more likely to split apart so if you want them to look nice and be whole, don't keep them to a simmer. not to mention make it less likely to boil over and make a mess you'll have to clean.

 

Sauteeing increases flavor and it's a really good thing to do with other soups especially if you aren't adding meat. You can brown the onions a bit then add some water to scrape up the bits. You don't want to brown garlic though. You can even add water and boil for a bit until it reduces some to concentrate flavor which is good if you are water not stock, which I usually do.

 

For spices (during cooking), I usually add Italian type herbs to the lima beans. Curry and/or tumeric to lentils. I also sometimes add a little bit of Italian sausage to make a soup like the potato sausage and kale soup they have at Olive Garden. I used to make it with white kidney beans, but I've started using the limas in place of them. Don't use much sausage (1 or 2 links) because it has a lot of flavor.

 

When they are nearly done, you can add tomatoes, which are good with either. And when done, add greens like kale, spinach or collards. I usually add frozen which I keep on hand in the freezer to add to all kinds of soups and curry recipes. But I never see frozen kale anywhere. Beans are limited by methionine, a sulfur amino acid, and greens like kale and spinach are high in methionine. Not so much with the collards.

 

Also, if you want to use soup stock, make it yourself to keep in the freezer. Boil up your veggie scraps with garlic, onion and salt to make veggie stock to keep in freezer. You can freeze in ice cube trays or muffin pans so you can have small amounts to use just what you want.

 

I used to cook a lot of black and red kidney beans since they are some of the most nutritious--not so limited in methionine and high in phytonutrients with their colorful skins--but in my lectin research I read that kidney beans were one of the worst for lectins while broad beans had a much lower content. I also read somewhere that fava beans were high in some protective (to the seed, not us) toxin.

 

--------------

Oh, in case you don't know. The dried beans will double or triple in size so one cup dried makes 2-3 cups cooked. I usually cook 1 1/2 or 2 cups dried. Then use some of the beans in a soup and just eat some beans as a side dish. And freeze some for another day.

Quote
MemberMember
410
(@alternativista)

Posted : 06/08/2010 6:01 pm

i have to take back what I said above about making tomato sauce rather than buying it. I have found some jarred sauces that taste reasonably good and since they come in a glass jar rather than a can, they are probably better even if they have some questionable ingredients. Just find the ones with the least non-food ingredients and sugar.

 

Also, I have created the ultimate single person quick healthy Tomato Basil soup. I bought jars of tomato basil sauce and as always have some frozen chopped greens in the freezer. So I put about a quarter cup of greens and half cup of tomato sauce (I don't measure, just guessing) in a large mug. I let it sit out for a bit to defrost, then fill the mug with boiling water to thin out for tomato basil (and spinach or whatever) soup. Sometimes I top with a little grated parmesan or sometimes I add a spoonful of yogurt to make it a cream soup. And of course, drizzle on a little olive oil.

 

I did this because I'm trying to make it a habit to have some lycopene on a daily basis to protect my skin from the sun and because it's anti-androgen, but don't want to have pasta very often. Costco had an organic sauce 4 jars for about $9. Other than the use of soy bean oil rather than olive, there's nothing on the ingredient list but the same foods I'd put in a sauce if I made it at home.

Quote
MemberMember
0
(@tree23)

Posted : 06/08/2010 8:41 pm

I did this because I'm trying to make it a habit to have some lycopene on a daily basis to protect my skin from the sun and because it's anti-androgen, but don't want to have pasta very often. Costco had an organic sauce 4 jars for about $9. Other than the use of soy bean oil rather than olive, there's nothing on the ingredient list but the same foods I'd put in a sauce if I made it at home.

 

What do you eat to get lycopene when you don't eat tomato? I too am trying to make sure I eat UV protecting foods every day. I am very white and live in Florida...haha.

 

My favorite way to eat cooked tomato is as the sauce on top of a delicious home-made pizza. I get millet & flax pizza crusts that are made in a bakery specializing in gluten-free products in the next city over. I realize many people don't have access to such awesome places. :( They are SO good though. I like to cover them in tomato sauce (always different types), sprinkle red pepper flakes, garlic and onion powder, maybe some kinda seasoning if I use a bland sauce, and top with mozzarella and spinach. I'm working on adding more veggies to my pizza, but I like it with just the ones I mentioned sooo much! ooh just remembered I add diced tomato on top too. yum

Quote
MemberMember
8
(@spectacled_owl)

Posted : 06/08/2010 8:46 pm

Stuffed Peppers have to be one of my favorite, easy things to make.

 

(Please excuse my lack of measurements - I usually just wing it)

 

Preheat oven to ~400 degrees F

 

Start with a green pepper (or any color!) and cut the top off. Save the top. Clean out the inside and remove the seeds. Set aside.

 

Next chop up some veggies of your choice. I like spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, and onions the best. Put all your chopped veggies in a bowl and hand toss them with oil. (I like avocado oil) Sometimes I toss in some parmesan or romano cheese too. Set the veggies aside.

 

Now I take some tomatoes and smush them in a saucepan to make sauce. I simmer them on low to med-low with some garlic and I like to add some hot pepper for a kick, yum. Also add some basil or oregano to taste. I simmer for ~10 minutes. Turn the heat off.

 

Now I add my chopped veggies to the saucepan and mix it together so they are coated in the tomato sauce. Fill your peppers with the veggie/sauce mix and throw a little more oil on the outside of the peppers if you like, and some in the bottom of a baking dish. Put the caps back on the peppers and bake them for ~20 mins. (my oven is crazy though so pay attention and you could need more or less time)

 

That's it! You can also add some cooked hamburger.

 

Quote
MemberMember
8
(@spectacled_owl)

Posted : 06/08/2010 9:26 pm

A decadent, healthy dessert - Chocolate Mousse

 

Basically the less sugar you use in this recipe, the better! Make sure to use a low GI sweetener too - my favorite is coconut or palm sugar. (the only place I have ever found palm or coconut sugar is Whole Foods or online, but don't be afraid to shop around.) You can also use Stevia.

 

Now you're gong to need about 200g of chocolate. How sweet your chocolate is will determine how much, if any, sugar you need to add. I like Ghirardelli 100% cacao, which has no sugar. Try to use at least 60% cacao, remember the less sugar the better!

 

Ingredient List

 

200g chocolate

3 eggs

splash of vanilla

4oz warm water

sweetener of choice (optional)

cacao nibs (optional)

heavy cream (optional)

 

Start by taking a saucepan and filling it with about an inch of water. Now find a glass or metal bowl that can fit over the saucepan without touching the water and without being TOO big :)

Place your chocolate and warm water in the bowl over the water. Put the heat on low to low-med and the chocolate will begin to melt. Make sure you watch it! There's nothing worse than dried out burnt chocolate...ew. It's ready when it looks like a nice smooth paste. Remove from heat and set aside to cool a bit.

 

Now you'll need a small bowl and a bigger mixing bowl. Separate your eggs so that the yolks are in the small bowl and the whites are in the big bowl. Whisk the yolks together and if you are adding some sugar, add it to the yolks now. Set these aside.

 

Now take your egg whites and beat them until they cry. er, form stiff peaks :D

This is easily accomplished with an electric mixer but it can be done by hand. You just vigorously whisk the whites until they form stiff peaks (this means that it's thick enough to stay on the back of a spoon but not so stiff that it falls apart) If you do it by hand, you will probably get pretty tired :)

 

Anyway - once the whites are ready your chocolate should be cool enough. Whisk the egg yolks into the chocolate and then this is the trickiest part. You fold the egg whites very carefully into the chocolate. DO NOT STIR as this will flatten the egg whites. Try to just gently fold them in. This takes some patience, I know, but it pays off in the end. Once they're mixed in you can transfer the chocolate mousse into some small dessert dishes or a big bowl if you are lazy heh.

 

The mousse needs to set in the fridge for 2 hours. Then enjoy!

 

You can also whip some fresh cream for a topping. Just take a metal mixing bowl and pop it in the freezer for about 20 mins. Take it out and put some sweetener and vanilla in the bottom, then pour some heavy cream over it. Make sure to use heavy cream, not light or half and half. Now beat it with an electric mixer (or again by hand if it didn't fall off from the egg whites) and whip until it looks like whipped cream.

 

Top your mousse with the cream and sprinkle on some cacao nibs for a nice fancy looking and yummy treat.

Quote
MemberMember
1
(@joris)

Posted : 07/30/2010 1:04 pm

Also, now that they are in season and you can probably get local and even organic cheap, an easy way to use fresh tomatoes for sauce is to cut in half, then grate them cut side first into a bowl. You end up leaving the peel behind which is usually desired in tomato sauce. That Spanish chef with the PBS show demonstrated this on Martha Stewart.

 

You can also freeze fresh tomatoes with little effort for use in future sauces. Just cut them in usable chunks and you can spread them out on a dish or cookie sheet to freeze, then put them in freezer bags. And when they defrost, you can easily pick off the skins.

 

Why do you only buy them canned out of season? And why? Because they are expensive or because they are picked to early?

 

And what to do with the insides of the tomato? I want to make tomato sauce + pasta + meat balls for 3-4persons. How much tomatos will I have to use?

And can i coock the sauce with the meat balls after the meat balls are nice and brown or will I have to prepare it seperate?

Quote
MemberMember
410
(@alternativista)

Posted : 08/02/2010 11:21 am

Why do you only buy them canned out of season? And why? Because they are expensive or because they are picked to early?

 

The issue is with the cans, not the tomatoes. The acidity of the tomatoes make it one of the worst for leaching BPA from the lining. If you can get them in jars, then they are great.

 

 

And what to do with the insides of the tomato? I want to make tomato sauce + pasta + meat balls for 3-4persons. How much tomatos will I have to use?

And can i coock the sauce with the meat balls after the meat balls are nice and brown or will I have to prepare it seperate?

 

I don't know how many tomatoes you'll need. You'll have to look for a tomato sauce recipe and see what it says. You may be able to cook the sauce after the meatballs are browned, but it depends on how much of a long simmered taste you want in your sauce. I personally prefer a fresh taste.

Quote