Showing posts with label sweet potatoes.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sweet potatoes.. Show all posts

Monday, April 18, 2011

who's your mama?


caterer + doctor = nutrition student.
my mom is the reason why: I love to cook and have big feet. 
my dad is the reason why: I love science and look german.
hannah the hybrid.

picnics and pantries has reason to be thankful for my mother:
#1.) all my cook books and utensils have been acquired from her overflow collection
#2.) she has been giving me kitchen appliances since my 13th birthday
#3.) she takes me grocery shopping for expensive ingredients when she comes to visit

she is the reason why I was making pleas for pate sandwiches at age 3, was taking quinoa mango salad for lunch in middle school, and most recently, show up to bake sales with raspberry cheesecake brownies.  
she may also be partially responsible for my quick wit and sass.
[yes, she came up with the blog title herself.]

the lady has some credentials:
dessert baker turned freezer food home business owner and operator turned full fledged caterer.
[all while providing her family with the best tasting meals of all!]
not to mention, she's picnics and pantries editor and number one promoter.  
what's next? 
a guest food blogger, of course!

here she is folks, this martha is the real meal deal.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

April and May, while the rest of us are waiting for spring to finally come, students are waiting for exams to finally be over. Everything else piles up while the midnight oil is burned... including blogs.

What's a blogger to do? Call home of course! I can't write her exams, prepare for the trip to Kenya or train for her half marathon, but try my hand at a food blog?  
Why not.

During busy times [did I mention exams?], your freezer can be your best friend.  If you have a few things stashed, worrying about eating properly can be crossed off your list of things to do.  Make extras each time you cook so that you can freeze the leftovers... instant, healthy meals are ready when you need them, and the pots have already been washed.

Make batches of the basics, beans and rice can be prepared in bulk, measured and packaged and pulled out ready to go.  2 cups of beans is equivalent to a 540 ml can, and if you bag your cooked brown rice in 260 ml packages, you can throw this recipe together in no time at all.

Don't need 12 Brown Rice Patties for one meal?
You can freeze the rest, of course!


Brown Rice Patties 

recipe from: clean eating
serves: 12 servings 

the goodies:
- 1 sweet potato, peeled and grated 
- 1 zucchini, washed, trimmed and grated 
- 3 carrots, peeled and grated 
- 1 1/2 c.// 260 ml. cooked brown rice 
- 1/2 c. flour [whole wheat, rice, kamut...you get the idea, not white!] 
- juice of 1 lime 
- juice of 1 lemon 
- 1 tbsp sesame oil 
- 1/4 c. / 60ml. raw unsalted almonds, coarsely chopped 
- 1/2 c. / 60 ml. raw unsalted sunflower seeds, coarsely chopped 
- 1 tsp. sea salt 
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped 
- freshly ground black pepper 
- 1 egg 
- 1 egg white 

the fun part:
#1.) preheat the oven to 375. and line a baking sheet with parchment. 
#2.) using a clean dishtowel, press any extra water out of the grated vegetables. 
#3.) process almonds and sunflowers in a food processor, or chop by hand. 
#4.) combine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl.  mix well.  mixture should be fairly stiff. 
#5.) measure patties using your 1/2 cup measuring cup.  
#6.) place all 12 on your baking sheet and bake for 40 - 45 min, or until lightly golden on top.

Now you have 12 meals ready to go.  Pack them in a pita, with tzatziki, cucumbers and tomatoes, have them on top of a salad or treat them like a regular burger.  Truth be told, Iʼve even eaten these for breakfast.

what your body will like:
being full and being fueled!

Thursday, April 14, 2011

who's your mama?




caterer + doctor = nutrition student.
 my mom is the reason why: I love cooking and have big feet.
my dad is the reason why: I love science and look german.
hannah the hybrid.

picnics and pantries has reason to be thankful for my my mother:
#1.) all cook books and utensils have been donated from her overflow collection
#2.) she has been giving me kitchen appliances since my 14th birthday

she is the reason why I was making pleas for pate sandwiches at age 3, was taking quinoa mango salad for lunch in middle school, and most recently, show up to bake sales with raspberry cheesecake brownies.  
she may also be partially responsible for my quick wit and sass [yes, she came up the the blog title].

the lady has some credentials: dessert baker turned mass creator and distributor of freezer meals turned full-fledged caterer.  
she's picnics and pantries editor and number one promoter.  what's next?  a guest post, of course! 

here she is folks, this martha is the real meal deal.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

April and May, while the rest of us are waiting for spring to finally come, students are waiting for exams to finally be over.  Everything else piles up while the midnight oil is burned...including blogs.  

Whatʼs a blogger to do?  Call home of course!  I canʼt write her exams, prepare for the trip to Kenya or train for her half marathon, but try my hand at a food blog?  Why not. 

During busy times [did I mention exams?], your freezer can be your best friend.  If you have a few things stashed, worrying about eating properly can be crossed off of your list of things to do.  Make extras each time you cook so that you can freeze the leftovers...instant, healthy meals are ready when you need them, and the pots have already been washed. 

Make batches of basics, beans and rice can be prepared in bulk, measured and 
packaged and pulled out ready to go.  2 cups of beans is equivalent to a 540 ml can, and if you bag your cooked brown rice in  260 ml packages...you can throw this recipe together in no time at all.  

Donʼt need 12 Brown Rice Patties for one meal?  
You can freeze the rest, of course! 



Brown Rice Patties 

recipe from: clean eating
serves: 12 servings 

the goodies:
- 1 sweet potato, peeled and grated 
- 1 zucchini, washed, trimmed and grated 
- 3 carrots, peeled and grated 
- 1 1/2 c.// 260 ml. cooked brown rice 
- 1/2 c. flour [whole wheat, rice, kamut...you get the idea, not white!] 
- juice of 1 lime 
- juice of 1 lemon 
- 1 tbsp sesame oil 
- 1/4 c. / 60ml. raw unsalted almonds, coarsely chopped 
- 1/2 c. / 60 ml. raw unsalted sunflower seeds, coarsely chopped 
- 1 tsp. sea salt 
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped 
- freshly ground black pepper 
- 1 egg 
- 1 egg white 

the fun part:
#1.) preheat the oven to 375. and line a baking sheet with parchment. 
#2.) using a clean dishtowel, press any extra water out of the grated vegetables. 
#3.) process almonds and sunflowers in a food processor, or chop by hand. 
#4.) combine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl.  mix well.  mixture should be fairly stiff. 
#5.) measure patties using your 1/2 cup measuring cup.  
#6.) place all 12 on your baking sheet and bake for 40 - 45 min, or until lightly golden on top.

now you have 12 meals ready to go.  pack them in a pita, with tzatziki, cucumbers and tomatoes, have them on top of a salad or treat them like a regular burger.  truth be told, Iʼve even eaten these for breakfast.

what your body will like:
a night off.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

sweet [potato] dip.


super snacks for the super bowl!

I've posted this delicious dip in perfect timing.  there are several reasons:
#1.) serve it up with a big platter of veggies and/or pita chips and impress your fellow football fans

the super bowl was smart to host the big event on a sunday.  this is a wonderful recipe to make at the beginning of the week, which will help you with your subsequent lunch packing:
#2.) throw it in a container to dip your veggies into
#3.) spread it on your bread to sass up your favorite sandwiches


the goodies:
- 2 medium sweet potatoes
- 1 carrot
- 1 onion
- 1/4 c. water
- 1 tbsp. tahini (or almond butter)
- 1/4 tsp. cumin
- 1/4 tsp. curry powder

the fun part:
#1.) wash and cube the sweet potatoes into pieces a little larger than bite size.  put them in a pot, cover with water and bring to a boil.  reduce heat to medium, and cook until tender - about 15-20 minutes.
#2.) meanwhile, peel and cut the carrots and onions into smaller pieces and put in a separate sauce pan with about 1/4 cup of water.  simmer until soft - about 8 minutes.
#3.) when potatoes are ready, drain the water and puree them along with the tahini, cumin and curry powder.  this can be done in a food processor, blender, or immersion blender.  add the carrot-onion mixture and puree until smooth.

what your body will like:
#1.) calories: 2 tbsp only puts you back 21 calories.  think of what a nice alternative this is to other dipping sauces and spreads!  an equal amount of ranch dressing is nearly 150 calories.  this adds up.  yikes!
#2.) beta-carotene: beta-carotene = vitamin A.  vitamin A = healthy eyes.  vitamin A = healthy immune system.  yippee!

Thursday, February 3, 2011

baja bonanza.


this week was the first week back to teaching after school cooking classes to elementary students.  goodbye sweet primary kids, hello defiant intermediates.  

what's the best way to introduce the 4 food groups and balanced meals to a room full of pre-teens?
quesadillas, of course!  tortillas, cheddar cheese, sliced turkey and peppers.  all kid friendly... right?  wrong.

imagine my delight when a 9 year old student approached me and said, "actually, I don't particularly like orange cheddar.  I'd much prefer honey infused gruyere."  I'm sorry.. what?!

to this, I only have one retort: "I don't particularly like cheddar cheese, sliced turkey quesadillas.  I'd much prefer the baja bonanza."  so here it is friends: moxies made it.  I modified it.  the wait is over.  I'm revealing my secrets.    

feel free to substitute your favorite infused cheese as you deem necessary.  

mexican inspired quesadillas:

the goodies:

- 1 whole wheat tortilla
- 1 small yam
- 1/4 bell pepper
- 1/4 onion
- 1/4 c. black beans
- 1/4 c. corn kernals
- 1/8 c. shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp. chopped cilantro
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp. cayenne
- 1 tsp. bbq sauce
- 1 tsp. pureed chipotles

the fun part:

#1.) cut your yam into small pieces, and put in a pot of boiling water.  cook for  5-10 minutes, or until tender.

#2.) meanwhile, chop the onion and bell pepper into bite size pieces and sauté them until soft.

#3.) toss in the beans and corn, turn off heat and set aside.

#4.) when yam is ready, mash it up.  spice things up a bit by throwing in the cilantro, oregano and cayenne. mix.

#5.) get your quesadilla ready by spreading the bbq sauce and chipotle puree on it. next add the yam goodness, and spread over half of the tortilla.  top with delicious bean and veggie medley.  sprinkle with cheddar cheese.

#6.) fold the neglected half of the tortilla over your masterpiece, and place your moon-shaped quesadilla onto a skillet and cook until all the goodies inside are nice and warm, and the one side is crispy. cautiously flip, being careful not to have all your hard work spill onto the stove.

#5.) enjoy your yummy (and balanced) meal.


what your body will like:


#1.) balanced meal: as I said, you've got your 4 food groups covered, and they are all in proportion to how much you should be getting of each.  the highest percentage is fruits and veggies: yam, pepper, onion, corn.  secondly, grains: tortilla.  next, milk and milk products: sprinkle of cheese.  lastly, your meat and alternatives: beans!  more food groups = more variety = more nutrients = more health!
#2.) saturated fat: by substituting yam instead of cheese, you are drastically reducing the saturated fat content.  did you know that 1/2 cup of shredded cheese = 20 grams of fat, which is more than vanilla ice cream which measures in at 16 grams at the same serving size?  so next time you think you're making the healthy choice by choosing cheese over ice cream... think again!  cheese is delicious and shouldn't be eliminated all together... just remember, all things in moderation!