Recipe: Spiced Chickpeas and Greens with Quinoa Pilaf

When I came up with this dish last week, I was in search of flavor. My basic rice and quinoa was beginning to get a little boring.

So I decided to source some inspiration overseas and make a pilaf using vegetable stock, raisins, and cashew nuts. It is a combination used in many parts of the world (from India, Afghanistan and North Africa). I am not sure where it originated, but it is a tasty idea that deserves to be copied.

I served alongside a simple saute of chickpeas, swiss chard, onions, and my favorite spices - turmeric, cumin, paprika, and coriander. The result is a colorful assortment of spices and flavors that I think you will enjoy.

Serves 2-3

1 tbsp olive oil
1/8 tsp turmeric
1/2 small red onion, diced
6 leaves swiss chard, stems and leaves separated and chopped
1 15 oz can chickpeas, drained
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp ground coriander
1/4 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp sea salt

In a large skillet or wok, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add turmeric to oil to release flavor.

Add the red onion and cook for a couple minutes, until yellow and translucent. Add chard stems and cook for another 2 minutes. Add chickpeas and remaining spices. Cook for another 10 minutes, allowing flavors to merge. Throw in chard leaves at the end along with sea salt. Cook for another two minutes until greens are cooked down.

Adjust salt, flavoring as necessary. Serve over quinoa pilaf (instructions below).

Quinoa Pilaf
1 cup quinoa
2 cups water or vegetable broth
1/3 cup raisins
12 cashews halves, toasted

Cook quinoa with water or stock in a small pot for 20-30 minutes. Throw in raisins while cooking. When all water has evaporated, add cashews. Mix together.

Recipe: Honey candied pecans

After a visit to Trader Joes last week I became inspired to make my own candy coated pecans. I've always loved the stuff in salads, especially around the holidays.

Only problem was I wasn't into the sugar content in the pre-made ones. So I decided that I would try to make my own.

I was planning to use agave, but on Saturday morning I woke up with a scratchy throat. And I can't think of a better food to eat in that situation than honey. So I pulled out my favorite raw honey and got to work.

I simply mixed together some pecans with honey and coconut oil. Then placed them in the toaster oven for 8 minutes. And voila! I had freshly candied pecans. I put them on a plate with some cut up apple, and a few minutes later they were all gone. And guess what, my achy throat was gone too!

Honey is known for having antibacterial properties. Especially when eaten in its raw, unprocessed state. I swear buy the stuff made by Y.S. Organic Bee Farms. They make a high quality product that I am sure you will love.

Here's the recipe to make some for yourself:

1/2 cup pecans (halves or whole)
1 teaspoon coconut oil
1 tablespoon raw honey

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a bowl mix all ingredients together. Place coated nuts on a toaster oven tray or baking sheet. Bake for 8 minutes. Enjoy!

Nuts: nature's perfect food

Are you nuts about nuts? I am.

And fortunately, as a health counselor, I can disclose my consumption of these guilt-free. [You should see the messages from my advisers after yesterday's ice cream disclosure.]

Nuts are nature's perfect food: a healthy balance of fat, carbohydrate and protein. Which makes sense if you consider that a nut is basically a seed and contains everything necessary for a plant to create life.

Nuts are extremely compact and durable, which make them very convenient for modern life. It is no wonder they are so prevalent in trail mixes and energy bars.

Fellow nut lovers can rejoice when they visit the Tierra Farm booth at the Park Slope Farmers Market (Sunday @ 5th Avenue and 4th Street). Tierra Farm is a small, privately-owned producer of organic nuts based in the Finger Lakes region of New York State. My current favorite is the Organic Dry Roasted Sea Salt & Onion Cashews. Very addictive! Other favorites include Garam Masala Cashews, Roasted Pistachios, and Tamari Roasted Almonds.

Nuts are one of the few sources of healthy, plant-based fats. They are high in desired monounsaturated fats and essential fatty acids. All of which are important for healthy skin, hair and nails. As well as memory and cognitive function.

However, like all foods, nuts should be eaten in moderation. The foods are rather calorie dense. I recommend just a few at a time. You'll find yourself satiated surprisingly faster than most snack foods.