Honey Sriracha Stir FryBy Kristin and Alex- Two Peas in a PodSo far 2021 has been a bit of a blur. January 2021, felt like 2020 lingered on. I guess what did we all expect? That somehow the new year would be magical and all of our woos would go away? Being a pessimist in an optimist world I never imagined anything different. This blog and recipe development were put on a standstill when most of my family got diagnosed with covid in January. We’re all doing well and slowly recouping back into society. Alex is usually my taste and spice master. He comes up with nectarous concoctions that I swear can rival any pro chef in the biz. However, he’s lost his sense of smell. Something you don’t realize you miss until all of a sudden you can’t smell life’s precious moments such as the crisp air after rainfall, the cut of freshly mowed grass, or the kitchen radiating with a home-cooked meal all throughout the house. Thankfully, his sense of taste is still top notch. This honey sriracha stir fry is a dish we’ve done multiple times before and finally decided to piece it all together. We’ve done it with vegetables by themselves as a vegan option and with chicken and pork to give it more meat. We decided to go with a combination of freshly cut veggies smothered in sauce and topped with a fried egg. The egg helps cut some of the spiciness from the sauce and provide an additional sweetness to the mix. You can technically use any vegetables you like and that’s the beauty of stir fries. Don’t have broccoli but cauliflower. Swap it out! Do you prefer snap peas vs. water chestnuts or simply want to use both? Go for it! No matter what combination of vegetables or protein you use, once it’s coated in sauce, it’s tasty all the same. So give it a try and let me know what you think in the comments below!
Nutrition Tip*
Eggs are an excellent source of choline. Choline is an essential nutrient that has many functions. It helps create fats that are vital for the structure and integrity of cell membranes. It is needed to make acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter necessary for mood, memory, muscle control and focus. Choline helps contribute to methylation which helps repair and produce your DNA. There’s also been research that shows choline is important for early fetal brain development. A majority of choline in eggs is found in the yolk. For years, people were afraid to eat eggs and some stopped them all together. However, we now know that they can be included in a balanced diet due to their benefits and essential nutrients such as choline. So go ahead and incorporate 1-2 eggs into your daily routine and enjoy!African Peanut StewBy Kristin and Alex- Two Peas in a PodMost people do black eyed peas with collard greens to help bring on good luck in the new year. This year, we did one of our favorite recipes, African Peanut Stew with collard greens. We tried this recipe a couple years back after thinking we wanted to try out more African cuisine. We love trying foods from other cultures and it's a great way to enjoy new flavor combinations that you would never imagine before. Peanuts and ginger in a stew? Lets do this! This stew is hearty, delicious, comforting and tasty, which is the most important part. We typically pair it with white or brown rice and top it with peanuts to add an additional protein and crunch to the mix. So get out your apron, grab a cooking buddy, and start 2021 with a bang by cooking this spicy, simple stew that everyone will enjoy.
Nutrition Tip*
Greens, such as collard greens are an excellent source of vitamin K. Vitamin K is an essential vitamin that helps aid in blood clotting and bone health. Since vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin it absorbs better when taken with a meal that incorporates healthy fats. In this stew, there is olive oil and peanut butter which are providing the fats to help boost vitamin K absorption. People who are taking certain medications such as, Warfarin should be conscious of how much vitamin K they're taking in due to the risk of vitamin-medication interaction. Chicken Tortilla CasseroleBy Kristin and Alex- Two Peas in a PodBeing born and raised in the southwest means almost everyone I know has their own version of chicken tortilla casserole. My mother has her own version and so does my grandmother. No matter how it's made, it always turns out delicious and by the end of the meal the whole casserole dish is licked clean. This is an easy casserole dish to make primarily because it uses a lot of ready to eat canned goods such as canned green chilies, canned jalapenos, canned cream of mushroom and canned cream of chicken soup. However, because of this the sodium content is a bit high. I have to be honest and say that I personally did not know how high in sodium it was until I did the nutrition facts after I already downed a couple servings. No wonder it's so tasty and full of flavor. Am I right? Anyways, if you're conscious about your sodium intake an easy fix would be to use 1-2 fresh hatch green chilies, 1 fresh jalapeno and low sodium canned cream of mushroom and cream of chicken soup. At the end of the day, this casserole will still be delicious and have a nice spicy kick to make you feel good and full. So give it a try and let me know what you think in the comments below.Butternut Squash SoupBy Kristin and Alex- Two Peas in a PodFall is officially here and with fall the bountiful harvest awaits. Butternut squash is a common winter squash that can be roasted, stewed, and pureed into soups among other things. This recipe takes butternut squash and pairs it with those lovely fall spices such as ginger, cinnamon and cloves. As the soup is cooking, the house will radiate with warmth and the aroma of fall will fill the air. Soup is the ultimate comfort food, especially in the form of a tasty bread bowl. You can also pair it with a light salad as a healthier option or with a baguette on the side. So what are you waiting for? Give it a try and I promise you won't be disappointed.
Nutrition Tip*
Just one serving of this delicious soup has about 20% of your daily value for potassium. Potassium is one of the most important minerals in the body and it's often lacking in the standard American diet. Potassium helps regulate fluid balance, support blood pressure, heart health, and muscle strength. The recommended intake for adults is 4700 mg/day. Consuming enough potassium through food is the best way to go in order to get the other benefits of eating plant-based (high fiber, high antioxidants, vitamin rich, lower in sodium). Potassium is abundant in plant-based foods such as squash, potatoes, leafy greens, avocados, apricots, prunes, bananas, melon, white beans and tomatoes. Green Chili BeefBy Kristin and Alex- Two Peas in a PodWhen I was a kid and even now as an adult whenever someone asks me what my favorite food is I always say green chili beef burritos. As an Arizona native, I've tried my fair share of green chili. I will secretly judge a Mexican restaurant by the quality of their green chili and chips with salsa. This recipe has been passed down from my mother to me and now to you. You can swap out the beef for chicken for less red meat or even try it vegetarian style by using no meat and adding 1 lb of diced russet potatoes. However, it is green chili... It's meat to be spicy and tasty! Pair this green chili with corn tortillas, flour tortillas, tortilla chips or even toasted bread. Macaroni with Easy, Peasy, Cheesy SauceBy Kristin and Alex- Two Peas in a PodMacaroni, the ultimate soul food either by itself as a single dish or as a complementary side to your favorite fried chicken and collard greens. Nonetheless, it soothes the soul, warms the tummy, and tickles the taste buds. For the cheese sauce I used unsweetened almond milk mainly because this is the milk I always have at the house. However, I've done this recipe with skim and whole milk as well and I honestly can't tell a difference once you add all the cheese and spices to the sauce. The cornstarch helps thicken up the sauce so that it's not a droopy mess. If you don't have cornstarch you can substitute it with 4 tbsp flour and follow the recipe the exact same way. We've been making this macaroni recipe for years and without fail it comes out great every time. While the noodles are cooking, the sauce can be prepped and ready to go before it's finished. This macaroni recipe is quick, tasty, comforting, and utilizes fresh ingredients. What more could you ask for? Easy peasy!
Nutrition Tip*
Savor the flavor. Actually chew your food thoroughly vs. scarfing it down whole. Pay attention to the texture, aroma and flavor. It's not just the taste of food that makes it satisfying but also the smell, appearance, and feeling satisfied when you're comfortably full. JambalayaBy Kristin and Alex- Two Peas in a PodAlthough we have never been to New Orleans, we love the spice, soul and comfort of Cajun cooking. Most jambalaya recipes consist of the traditional blend of chicken, sausage and seafood (shrimp or crawfish). In addition to the meat and seafood, it is often made with the trinity of vegetables that include onion, celery and bell pepper. This recipe has a little twist on the traditional method of jambalaya. I use scallops vs. shrimp and celery seed vs. celery in the recipe. Why do you ask? Simply because I love scallops and I dislike the fibrous chunks of celery. If you or a loved one don't like celery than this is the jambalaya recipe for you. The celery seed still brings out the celery flavor in a subtle way that anyone can enjoy. Jambalaya can be made in various ways to suit your needs and flavor preferences. The beauty of a dish like this is that you can simply swap out anything you dislike and replace it with something you prefer instead. For example, do you like okra? Yes? Okay, then add in 1 cup at the end with the scallops. Or if you prefer shrimp vs. scallops simply swap out the scallops for 1 lb of shrimp at the end and voila! A tasty dish awaits no matter what!
Nutrition Tip*
Take at least 20 minutes to eat your meal. Savor the flavor, actually chew your food, and listen to your body's natural hunger and fullness cues. Practice eating slower with other family members, coworkers or friends. You tend to mimic those around you and if someone else eats fast than you're more than likely going to eat fast to keep up with them. People who eat fast are more likely to overeat and eat a larger portion at meals. Eating slower can help keep portions small so that you can continue to enjoy your favorite foods in moderation.
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