Cassandra Green

It's not often that I'm in the dark about food.  I'm health counselor and have loved cooking for a long time.  But recently I was thrown a curve ball by what, for me, was an elusive food...at least for a couple of days.

Even the health food store people seemed a little confused when I asked them about kasha. 

"Oh yeah, we have that...wh-what is it," they guy behind the counter wrinkled his forehead and looked confused.

I didn't feel so bad asking now.

I had gotten the idea from a book on blood type nutrition that suggests that people of my blood type, O, minimize gluten in their diet.   In the back are meal plans and kasha was listed as a breakfast option.  So, off I went in search of this lovely sounding whatever it was...I assumed (correctly) a grain.

After the experience at the checkout counter and still no kasha in hand, I broke down and looked it up online.  It turns out it's more commonly called buckwheat groats.

So, I went back to the store the next day and from the bulk food section triumphantly returned with my kasha.

Now just to figure out how to prepare them.  I assumed it would be like oatmeal and I was kind of right.  Back to the Internet I went for more advice.

To prepare the kasha you first toast 1 cup over high heat for about 4-5 minutes until it's brown.  From there, add 2 cups of water, cover, reduce the heat to low and cook 15 minutes.

It's a soft grain and from the toasting offers a nutty flavor.  I added a bit of soy milk, honey, apple and walnut to mine and called it breakfast.  It was so delicous!

You can also make kasha for savory meals as well.  Instead of water you could cook with broth, add herbs and spices (dare I say sauteed mushrooms) and a sprinkle of cheese.  Heavenly!

I hope this enourages you to explore a variety of foods even if you've never heard of it before.  I know it can seem like there is a fair amount of snobbery that goes on as if you should know every "boutique" food on the planet when you enter a natural market.

I wanted to share my experience so (#1) you could see even I go through the natural market heebie jeebies despite nutrition being my career and (#2) hopefully introduce you to a fun, versatile grain.

Have a beautiful day!

In light and service,

Cassandra

I love this recipe from Shoshoni Yoga Ashram's cookbook, The Kitchen Goddess.  Not only is it low-glycemic but rich in healthy spices.  I made extra of it and froze it in a glass container and reheated it a couple weeks later.  It tasted even better!

Ingredients:

• 1 t. light sesame oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 T. fresh ginger, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 t. red chili flakes
• 1/2 c. red bell peppers, sliced
• 1/2 c. carrots, peeled and sliced long and thin
• 1/2 c. baby corn
• 7 c. water or vegetable sotck
• 2 T. soy sauce
• 1/2 c. firm silken tofu, cut into 1/2 inch cubes (or substitute 3/4 lb. chicken)
• 2 c. coconut milk
• 1 T. lemon juice
• 1 t. salt
• 1/4 c. fresh cilantro, chopped

Directions:

1.  In a large saucepan, heat the seasme oil over medium heat.  Satue' the onion for 5 minutes, until translucent.  Add ginger, garlic, and red chili flakes and satue' for two more minutes.

2. Stir in the bell peppers, carrots and baby corn.  Add the water and soy sauce, and gently stir in the silken tofu cubes (or chicken).  Cover and bring the soup to a boil.  Lower the heat and simmer for 20 minutes.

3. Stir in the coconut milk, lemon juice, and salt.  Heat through and serve hot with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro.

Enjoy!

-Cassandra

I often look at the ingredients on packages of granola in the store and opt to make my own:  #1 because it's healthier, #2 because it's more economical, and #3 because you can add variety.

What you will need:

• 4 cups oats (rolled or thick cut)
• 1 cup of sliced almonds
• 1 cup of non-sweetened shredded coconut
• 1-2 teaspoons cinnamon, to taste
• 8 tablespoons honey or agave nectar
• 1 stick of butter or 8 tablespoons coconut oil (vegan option), melted
• 1/2 cup coconut oil (so if vegan 1 1/2 cups coconut oil), gently melted
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. and grease a large baking sheet

Place dry ingredients in a large bowl.  If using honey, heat it gently so that it stirs in well.  I generally will melt it with the butter.  Stir in the honey (or agave nectar), butter (if using), coconut oil, and vanilla extract until evenly distributed.  At this point you can taste your granola and see if you'd like to add more spices and adjust to taste.

Spread evenly over the baking sheet and cook for 20 minutes, stir and let bake 10 more minutes.  Stir one last time and bake until golden brown (about 10 more minutes).

Serve with your choice of milk or yogurt adding your favorite fruits.

As we have officially moved into the winter, our need for warming meals increases.  Full of anti-inflammatories, you will love this easy soup!

You may have a ton of pumpkin left over from the fall and I have a great use for it in this amazing soup.  To a crockpot on high add the following:

• One 14 oz. can of thai coconut milk
• One roma tomato diced (or subsitute canned)
• One pound pumpkin (or butternut squash--canned is okay)
• One cup of lentils or split peas
• Four cups of water
• 2 large vegetable stock cubes
• 2 tsp tumeric
• 1 tbsp cumin

In a skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of coconut or olive oil.  To the oil add:

• 1 tsp mustard seeds until they stop popping, then add
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 clove of minced garlic
• dash of salt

Add all of the skillet to the soup and stir in.  To finish the soup add:

• 1 tbsp honey
• 2  tbsp lime juice

Let soup cook for 3-4 hours until lentils or peas are soft.  Enjoy!

You may have tried  this dish at your favorite Indian restaurant and now you can have it at home too.  The great news-it's super easy! I learned from Shoshoni Yoga Ashram in their book The Kitchen Goddess-more vegetarian recipes from the Shoshoni Yoga Retreat  by Susannah Narayani Levine.  I serve this often with quinoa or you could also use basmati rice.  I usually make a double batch and freeze in glass containers for an easy, quick meal. Get cozy tonight!!!

Ingredients:

• 1 T olive oil (or ghee)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 t. tumeric
• 1 t. curry powder
• 1 t. ground cumin
• 1 t. gound coriander
• 1/2 t. paprika
• 1/4 t. ground cardamom
• 4 medium tomatoes diced (or subsitute canned)
• 4 c. cooked chickpeas
• 1 T. lemon juice
• 2 t. salt
• 1 c. plain yogurt (to top if you like)
•  

In a large pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.  Saute' the onion and garlic for 2.-3 minutes, until they begin to soften.  Add the tumeric, curry, cumin, corainder, paprika, and cardamom and saute' for 1-2 minutes more, stirring frequently.

Stir the tomaties into the spice mixture, cover the pan and reduce the heat to low.  Simmer for 5-7 minutes, until the tomates are soft.  Transfer the mixture to a blender and blend for 1-2 minutes, until the mixture is smooth.  Return the spice mixture back to the pan.

Stir in the chickpeas, lemon juice, and salt.  Bring the dish to a aboil over low heat.  Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.  Serve hot, with a dollop of yogurt on top.