Dairy Free Chicken with Mushroom Cream Sauce

4 six ounce boneless skinless chicken breast halves
2 -3 tablespoons olive oil – use divided
1 medium onion – chopped
2 cloves garlic – minced
8 ounces mixed wild mushrooms – cleaned and sliced
½ cup plus 2 tablespoons gluten free chicken broth – use divided
1 cup coconut milk
1 tablespoon fresh tarragon – finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh thyme – finely chopped
Kosher or Sea Salt & pepper
2 tablespoons arrowroot or cornstarch
Additional tarragon or thyme for garnish – optional

Heat two large skillets over medium–high heat. Add enough olive oil to each pan to coat the bottom (between 1 and 1 ½ tablespoons).

Liberally season chicken breast with salt and pepper. Add to one skillet and cook for about 5 minutes on one side. Turn the heat down to medium, flip the chicken breasts over and cook the other side until browned on the outside and cooked through about 3-4 minutes. Remove to a plate to rest a few minutes while finishing the sauce.

In the other pan add the chopped onions. Turn heat down to medium low and cook until onions are soft and starting to caramelize, about 5 minutes. Add the chopped garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the mushrooms and cook for about 5 minutes until browned. Season with a good pinch of salt and pepper. Turn up the heat to medium high and add the ½ cup chicken broth. Cook for about 1 minute until the chicken broth has reduced by half. Add the coconut milk and heat through about 2 minutes. Add the chopped tarragon and thyme. Taste for seasoning and add more salt and pepper if needed.

Make a slurry by mixing the remaining 2 tablespoons of chicken stock with the arrowroot or cornstarch. Add to the sauce and cook for about 30 seconds until sauce thickens.

Slice the chicken breasts diagonally in about 1 inch slices and put on a platter. Spoon sauce over the chicken breasts. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.

Serve 4.

By the way, if you don’t have two large skillets or don’t want to dirty two up, cook the chicken then cover with foil on a plate to keep warm and just use the same skillet for the sauce. Just add a little more olive oil to the pan and continue as above.

If you are feeling a little spacey, a little anxious, a little constipated and bloated or just want a seasonal, warm winter meal, try the soup recipe below. It’s simple and delightful this time of year!

GROUNDING SOUP

- adapted from Jen Hoy’s recipe at about.com

According to Chinese 5 element theory, round and root vegetables strengthen the spleen and reproductive organs, nourish the liver, and aid digestion. This soothing soup has a notable calming, easing effect, and should be eaten often by anyone with a sensitive nervous system. The soup also helps promote lactation, and balance blood sugar. It is especially good during the cooler months, as it is considered a warming soup.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:

* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 1 sweet onion, peeled and chopped
* 1 leek, white and green parts, chopped
* 1 clove garlic, chopped fine
* 1 stalk celery, chopped
* 1 medium carrot, chopped
* 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and chopped
* 1 medium parsnip, peeled and chopped
* 1 small turnip or rutabaga, peeled and chopped
* 1 small pumpkin, or butternut or kabocha squash, peeled and chopped
* 1 bay leaf
* 2 quarts vegetable or beef stock
* 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh thyme
* Sea salt
* Chopped parsley (optional)
* fresh ginger to taste (optional)

Preparation:
In large soup pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion, leek, garlic, celery and carrot, and sauté until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.

Add potato, sweet potato, parsnip, turnip, pumpkin and bay leaf. Stir vegetables, and then add vegetable stock.

Bring to a boil, cover the pan, reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes, until vegetables are tender.

Add thyme, and sea salt to taste. Cook an additional 5 minutes.

Remove bay leaf, and puree soup in a Vitamix, if desired.

To serve: Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with a sprinkle of chopped parsley. This soup keeps well for several days.

Makes about 3 quarts, or 6 servings.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ c. Trader Joe’s Semi-sweet or Ghirardelli Chocolate Chips (for Gluten-free)
• 2 c. garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed (about 1 can)
• 4 eggs
• 1 c. organic Sucanat or turbinado sugar
• 2 tsp. true cinnamon (Ceylon cinnamon, or canela in the Mexican tiendas) Specialty spice stores will carry this.
• 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp baking powder (use gluten-free baking powder)

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a small bowl melt chocolate chips in microwave for 2 minutes.  Stir until smooth.
3. In blender or food processor, combine beans and eggs and blend until smooth.
4. Add sweetener, spices, baking powder, and melted chocolate, process until smooth.
5. Pour batter into a 9” or 8X8” non-stick pan.
6. Bake for 45 minutes or until edges pull away from baking pan. I like my edges a little crispy.
7. Let cook completely before slicing (as chocolate cools, it keeps the bars from being too crumbly).

Mashed cauliflower is a fantastic alternative to mashed potatoes for those avoiding nightshades or high glycemic potatoes. Surprisingly, these do not taste strongly of cauliflower; rather they pick up the subtle buttery notes and allow spices such as cracked peppercorn and garlic to shine through. Use the recipe below as a baseline and feel free to experiment by adding roasted garlic, basil and sun dried tomatoes, rosemary, dill, or other favorite spices to liven things up!

Aimee’s Easy Mashed Cauliflower

* 2 heads cauliflower
* 1 qt. vegetable broth
* 1 tbsp butter or olive oil
* sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Tear florets from the cauliflower head and add to a large stock pot. Cover with broth, bring to a boil and steam until very tender – about 15 minutes.

Transfer florets into Vitamix (this makes them supercreamy!) or a food processor. Add butter or oil, salt and pepper, and any spices you wish to use. Puree on high for 30 seconds – 2 minutes until smooth.

Transfer to a warmed ceramic dish and serve.
Makes about 7 cups.

2 cups water
1 cup brown rice, rinsed
1 1/4 cups rice or almond milk, or other non-dairy milk of choice
1/3 cup raisins (optional)
1/3 cup walnuts
1/3 cup brown rice syrup or maple syrup
1 t. vanilla
1/2 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. ground ginger
1/8 t. ground nutmeg

In a medium saucepan, place the water, and bring to a boil. Add the rice, cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 35 minutes or until all of the water has been absorbed. Add the remaining ingredients, stir well to combine, and continue to cook the mixture over low heat until all of the liquid has been absorbed. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and place the pudding in the refrigerator to chill. Top individual servings with a little additional cinnamon before serving, if desired.

Serves 3-4

1 cup pinenuts (use equal parts pumpkin and sunflower seeds for nut allergies)

1/2 cup high quality extra virgin olive oil

4-5 cloves garlic

3 tbsp. chickpea miso (or mild yellow miso if you are not detoxing or soy-sensitive)

2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice (1/2 – 1 lemon)

2 bunches fresh basil

Tear basil leaves from stem. Place all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth. Thin with additional lemon juice, if desired.

Toss with spaghetti squash, use to flavor soups, or add onto sandwiches and pastas.

Yield: 8 Servings

Ingredients

• 3 lb swiss chard
• 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 1/2 tbsp minced or pressed garlic
• 6 chopped anchovies (WITH bones for extra calcium)
• 3 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
• 1 tsp. salt & pepper

Instructions

Trim stem ends of chard. Thinly slice stems crosswise up to base of leaves; set slices aside. Reserve a few whole leaves to line serving dish; coarsely chop remaining leaves. In a 6 to 8 quart pan over medium-high heat, stir oil, garlic and anchovies until garlic is slightly softened, about 2 minutes. Add chard stems; stir until softened, about 2 minutes. Stir in chopped leaves (a little at a time if pan if full), cover, and cook until wilted, about 4 minutes. Mix in vinegar; season to taste with salt & pepper.
Garnish a serving dish with reserved chard leaves; spoon greens atop these leaves and serve.

Fettuccine with Swiss Chard, Walnuts and Lemon

Makes 2 servings

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces rice fettuccine
• 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, sliced
• kosher salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper to taste
• pinch of fresh chopped rosemary
• 3 cups Swiss chard, washed
• 4 ounces clear vegetable or chicken stock
• 4 tablespoons halved walnuts
• 1 tablespoon white wine
• juice of half a lemon
• OPTIONAL: 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Preparation:

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
Over high heat, place the oil and garlic in a large sauté pan and gently cook until the garlic turns golden brown. Add  roughly 3 pinches of salt, 2 pinches of black pepper, and 2 pinches of crushed red pepper to the oil, or flavor to your liking. Add the rosemary and Swiss chard. Sauté for 1 to 2 minutes.

Drop the pasta into the boiling water and cook until it is tender but still has a bit of bite to it (al dente).
While the pasta is cooking, add the stock to the Swiss chard and steam-fry for 1 to 2 minutes until reduced in size. Add the walnuts and cook for 30 seconds. Add the lemon juice and olive oil. Taste for seasoning.
Strain the pasta from the water and add it to the Swiss chard. Toss it all together until most of the liquid is absorbed by the pasta. Add the cheese (if using).
The pasta should be slightly creamy, and no extra sauce should be apparent. Divide into two bowls and serve.

Swiss Chard Dahl

Ingredients

• 2 lbs Swiss chard
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon coriander
• 1 large Onion, chopped
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 fresh red chili
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 cup red lentils
• 1/2 cup stock
• 1 can peeled tomatoes
• salt to taste
• 1 small can tomato puree (to thicken)

Instructions

Chop the old stems tips off the swiss chard and compost. Slice the stems into 1/4 inch pieces.  Steam them in a large frying pan with a little water with add the chopped chili, garlic and the onion. When the onion is tender add the black pepper, cumin, turmeric, and coriander.  Cover and simmer for ten minutes. Meanwhile, coarsely chop the remaining chard leaves and add to the pot with the stock. Add the red lentils and simmer for a couple of minutes more, then add the canned tomatoes; continue to simmer for about 10 minutes. The lentils should be soft but still intact. Add about half a can tomato puree and salt to taste. Simmer for another couple of minutes till the dahl has thickened.
Serve with brown rice.

FOR THE TOPPING
3 tablespoon palm oil (coconut may be flavorful)
1/2 cup sucanat mixed with 1 tbsp. molasses
1 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
4 large Bosc Pears
– FOR THE BATTER –
4 ounces palm oil or grapeseed oil
4 ounce Applesauce
3/4 cup sucanat
2 tablespoon Ginger grated
3 Eggs (or Ener-G Egg Replacer as directed)
2/3 cups Molasses
3 cups gluten free baking mix
1 1/2 teaspoon Baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoon Baking powder
1/3 cup crystallized ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups rice milk
1 1/2 tablespoon Vinegar

Instructions
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Oil a 9-inch springform pan, and line the bottom with a 10-inch circle of parchment paper.

To make the topping, combine 3 Tbs palm oil, ½ cup sucanat, and cinnamon in a medium saucepan. Melt the oil over medium heat for about 1 minute; then pour the mixture into the prepared springform pan, completely coating the parchment paper. Place the quartered pears on top of the oil-sugar mixture, lining the pieces up tightly in a decorative circle so that none of the bottom shows through.

To make the batter, cut palm oil into 1-inch pieces, and put them in a large mixing bowl. Add ¾ cup sucanat, and cream the mixture on medium speed for 3-5 minutes, until it is smooth and a pale tan color. Add the grated ginger, and beat 1 minute more. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Add the eggs one at a time, beating on low speed and making sure that each egg is fully incorporated before adding another. When all the eggs have been added, slowly pour in the molasses and beat to fully mix. The mixture will look as though it is “breaking” or curdling, but don’t worry—it will come together when the dry ingredients are added.

In a separate medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk to fully combine.

Alternately add small amounts of flour and rice milk to the batter, stirring and folding with a rubber spatula until the dry ingredients are just absorbed. Do not overmix the batter. Pour and scrape the batter into the pear-lined pan, smoothing the top with a rubber surface. The pan will be nearly full.

Carefully transfer the pan to the center rack of the oven, and bake for about 1 hour and 45 minutes, until a skewer inserted in the cake’s center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes on a wire rack. Cover the pan with an upside-down serving plate; then carefully invert them together. Release the sides of the pan, and lift it away. Gently lift the pan’s base off the cake, and peel away the parchment paper. Allow the cake to cool for a half hour or so, and serve warm.

Yield: One big cake, likely serving 10-12 people

I was originally considering an arugula pesto, but I am well underway on my winter cleanse and am not consuming pasta (rice, quinoa or otherwise). I proposed a salad to go along with dinner on Sunday, and a roommate asked if that salad could be warmed.

I’m not accustomed to making ”warm salads”. Typically my greens are cold and raw or sauteed. In a mood to take on a challenge and get crazy in the kitchen, I set out to find a “warmed salad” using arugula and other ingredients available. The recipe below is the result: a winter salad adapted from a recipe I found on thekitchn.com. It was an incredibly nourishing, yet lighter addition to Sunday dinner than steamed or stir-fried winter greens.

There is still an arugula overgrowth happening outside. I am wondering – what are you favorite recipes for arugula? I’d love to hear your ideas and recipes. Click here or on the comment tab below and share your kitchen magic!

Warm Sweet Potato Arugula Salad
serves 4

1 large sweet potato, cubed into small pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Fresh black pepper
Sea salt
2 small bunches arugula, washed and torn
1 cup walnuts

Dressing
1/4 cup apple cider
1/8 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tsp. dry mustard powder
Salt and pepper

Heat the oven to 500 degrees F. Toss the cubed sweet potato with the oil, spices, salt and pepper. Spread thin on a large cookie sheet and roast for about 15 minutes, or until browned at the edges.

Meanwhile, heat a cast-iron or other teflon-free skillet on medium high heat. Toast walnuts, stirring frequently, until aromatic and lightly browned (about 5 minutes). Whisk dressing ingredients together, or blend at high speed for greater emulsification.

Toss hot sweet potatoes with the arugula and walnuts. Drizzle the dressing over the salad to taste. Salad will wilt slightly, which is desired.

JCCIC Luncheon page

Inaugural Luncheon Recipes

(Seafood Stew, Roasted Duck with Cherry Confit, Herb-Roasted Pheasant with Wild Rice Stuffing, Winter Vegetables, Molasses Whipped Sweet Potatoes and Cinnamon Apple Sponge Cake)