Coconut Cilantro Chutney

One of my sweet 30-something nephews came over for lunch today.  We hadn't really visited for some time since he lives an hour away. We caught each other up on news over chicken tacos, chicken Thai curry, whole wheat couscous, kale salad and spinach flat bread (I like eclectic meals).

I realized that I didn't have a chutney to serve, since most are so full of sugar I rarely buy them.  I came across this recipe... It goes very well with fish too, and takes just minutes to whip up.

Coconut Cilantro Chutney Recipe

GreenCoriander chutney

  • 3/4 c. shredded unsweetened Coconut

  • 3/4 c. fresh organic Cilantro, coarsely chopped

  • 1 small seeded organic Serrano chili,  quartered

  • 1/2 c. light coconut milk (or green tea)

  • Juice of 1/2 organic Lime

  • dash of Sea Salt

Place all but Lime juice in blender, or food processor, and pulse until consistency is almost smooth.

Pour into a bowl and mix in lime juice. Taste and adjust seasoning.

As a variation you may add 1 clove of garlic to veggies, or a 1/2 inch slice of ginger.

Makes about 1 cup of chutney.

~ āp kā khānā svādiṣṭa ho! ♥

Curried Quinoa and Greens with Coconut Dressing

This recipe contains ingredients that enhance Cellular Damage Control! Quinoa contains the amino acid lysine, which is essential for tissue growth and repair.

Quinoa, once called "the gold of the Incas, is an amino acid-rich (protein) seed that has a fluffy, creamy, slightly crunchy texture and a somewhat nutty flavor when cooked. Quinoa is actually a relative of leafy green vegetables like spinach and Swiss chard.

The recipe below adds Kale, another 'fantastic food'.

One cup of kale contains 36 calories, 5 grams of fiber, and 15% of the daily requirement of calcium and vitamin B6, 40% of magnesium, 180% of vitamin A, 200% of vitamin C, and 1,020% of vitamin K. It is also a good source of minerals copper, potassium, iron, manganese, and phosphorus.

Kale’s health benefits are primarily linked to the high concentration and excellent source of antioxidants, and sulphur-containing phytonutrients. If you make the recipe with Green Tea instead of the other suggested liquids, you'll dramatically increase the Antioxidant benefits!

Curried Quinoa and Greens

Makes 6-7 servings about ½ c. each

  • 2/3 c. red Quinoa
  • 2-½ c. Water, Green Tea or no-sodium Veg Broth
  • 3 c. young Kale, lower stems removed, and chopped into bite size pieces
  • 1 tsp. Curry powder
  • Pinch Sea Salt

Coconut Dressing

  • 3 Tbs unsweetened light Coconut Milk
  • 2 tsp. fresh squeezed Lime juice
  • ¼ tsp. Curry powder
  • 1/2 tsp. Stevia
  • ¼ c unsalted, dry roasted Almonds

Toast the quinoa for 5-6 minutes in a 4-quart sauté pan over med heat, until fragrant, gently stirring from time to time.  Add water or broth, kale, curry and salt; cover and raise temp to high.  Bring to a boil.

Lower heat and simmer until the quinoa and kale are tender, the quinoa ‘tails’ have popped, and liquid is absorbed, about 15 mins.

Remove pan from heat and transfer mixture to a large bowl.

In a small bowl, place the coconut milk, lime juice, ¼ tsp. curry and stevia, and whisk together briskly.  Pour the coconut mixture over the quinoa and toss to combine.  May be served warm, or chilled.

Sprinkle with almonds just before serving.

~ Bon Apetit! ♥

Thai Yellow Curry Paste

By now you're sure to know that Curry is a food we are encouraged to eat frequently. The ingredient that gives it its lovely yellow-ish color is Turmeric, containing the powerful Antioxidant, Curcumin. Read about this amazing, healing spice here.

Thai Yellow Curry Paste

  • 1-2 red or Green chilies, or 1/2 to 1 tsp. Cayenne pepper
  • 2 organic Shallots (or 1 small onion)
  • 1 thumb-size piece Galangal root or Ginger, sliced
  • 3-4 large cloves Garlic
  • 1 tsp. ground Coriander
  • 1 tsp. ground Cumin
  • 1/2 tsp. whole Cumin seed
  • 1/8 tsp. fresh Nutmeg, or substitute cinnamon
  • 3 Tbsp. Fish sauce (available at Asian stores)
  • 3/4- 1 tsp. Turmeric
  • 1 Tbs. Xylitol or 2 tsp. Stevia
  • 1-2 fresh or frozen Kaffir Lme leaves, snipped into small pieces with scissors (discard central stem), or substitute bay leaf
  • 1 -14 oz. can Coconut Milk
  • 1 Tbs. fresh Lime juice
  • 1 Tbs. organic Ketchup

Toss all in food processor and blend. Refrigerate.

~ Easy peasy! ♥

'Curl up with a Book' Dairy Free Hot Chocolate

Yes, there are treats we can have on this diet!  Just gotta stay in the guidelines... :o) If you want a sweeter version you may add 2 tsp. Xylitol or a packet of Stevia.

  • 1 can unsweetened Coconut or Almond Milk
  • 1-1/4 oz. finely chopped Dark Chocolate (75% cocoa+)

Heat milk in small pot until hot - not boiling.  Add chocolate and stir until it is completely melted.  Sprinkle with Cinnamon. (opt.)

~ Yum! ♥