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Showing posts from December 31, 2016

Roasted Persian Chicken and Cauliflower

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In this Persian-inspired recipe, chicken and cauliflower are perfumed with saffron, cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric, black pepper and other spices, then roasted until crisp. The cauliflower is dotted with goji berries, pistachios and slivered almonds, and the chicken is finished with a dusting of parsley and mint. Combined, this is a fragrant, deeply flavorful meal. This richly spiced dish isn’t just flavorful though. The spices also contribute antioxidants and protection against microbes . This recipe gives measurements for both whole and ground spices – you can choose which to use. Buying whole spices and grinding them (a coffee grinder works well) often means more potent flavor and health benefits. Pre-ground spices are more convenient. Just make sure they’re organic and less than a year old. Time in the Kitchen: 1 hour 15 minutes Servings: 4 Ingredients Chicken 6 to 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs 1 tablespoon cumin seeds, or 1 tablespoon ground (15 ml) 1 tablespoon cor...

3 Ways to Be Mindful in the Kitchen

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The kitchen can be a very stressful place, especially when things get busy. Weeknights in particular can get hectic with running errands, completing homework and cooking a healthy dinner. Here are three ways you can be more mindful in the kitchen to help alleviate some stress. Create calm out of chaos. Rebecca Scritchfield, RDN, author of Body Kindness , recommends the following technique to help make rational choices in the kitchen: “First take a very deep breath and exhale to a slow count of 10. This simple exercise tells your body to relax and helps you make rational choices like actually cooking your meal instead of eating it cold from the fridge! (I know I’m not the only one.) Then do one quick thing that makes you happy. I like to play soothing or energizing music, depending on my mood. Even if you’re not excited to prepare your meal, find a benefit that does excite you — like ‘I’m happy to save money and take care of my body by cooking at home’ — and let that be your motiva...