"Carnitas" Beans

1 1/2 cups pinto beans, soaked for 4+ hours OR 2 14oz cans of pinto beans
Optional: 4 oz maples chicken sausage or 1-2 pieces of bacon sautéed until cooked + 1 tsp honey OR vegan sausage or bacon + 1 tsp agave
2 onions, diced
2-4 cloves garlic, crushed OR 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp coriander, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, (optional), 2 bay leaves, 1/2 - 1 tsp salt
4 cups stock (your choice)

Directions:

1. In a large (10-12 inch) sauté pan, caramelize the onions over medium heat, until brown, only stirring every several minutes. You may need to add a little water as they caramelize to keep them from drying out. Add the sausage(s) with the onions and allow them to brown (and cook if they are raw). If you are cooking bacon, cook it in a separate pan so that the fat can be discarded or saved for another purpose (you may add some of it to the beans if you wish).
2. Once the onions are cooked, add the garlic, and allow it to sauté for about one minute.
3. Add the rest of the ingredients, and bring it to a simmer until the beans are soft (easily squished between your tongue and roof of mouth). This recipe is best the next day after the ingredient have had a chance to fully incorporate.

This dish can be served with rice, tacos, nachos, or just enjoyed on its own.

Pork Chops with Rich Mushroom Sauce

What is it like?

- Classy

- Decadent

- Delicious 

Recipe

3 pork chops
1-2 tbsp coconut, grape seed oil or your preferred oil
1 onion, diced
8 oz mushrooms
3 cups chicken stock, divided OR your preffered stock
1/4 cup white wine
1/2 tsp dried tarragon, 1/2 tsp dried sage, 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 tsp dried thyme), 1/4 tsp salt
thickener: mix 1/2 tbsp glutenous “sweet” rice flour with 1/2 cup stock
1 tbsp low sodium soy sauce (gluten free type)
2-3 tbsp coconut cream, or to taste

Directions:

1. Heat a large pan (see photo) over medium high heat and add 2 tsp oil. Salt the pork chops with 1/4 tsp salt on both sides. Add chops to pan once it is hot. Allow chops to cook for about 4 minutes on each side, or until cooked. The chops will stick to the pan while they are browning. Once they are ready to flip, they will be easy to release and you will see red liquid start to release on top of the pork chops. Once they are cooked, set aside.
    
2. Turn the heat down to medium and add 2 tsp oil to the same pan and add the chopped onion with the tarragon, sage, and thyme. Once caramelized, remove and set aside. Next, sauté the mushrooms in two batches with about  2 tsp of oil. Once cooked, set aside in a separate bowl.
    
3. Turn the heat up to high for abut 20 seconds, then add the wine, followed by the chicken stock and bring to a simmer. (If you do not like the look of the brown bits that release from the bottom of the pan, you can strain the liquid and return it to the pan.) Add the onions/herbs and simmer the stock until it reduces in volume by about 1/3. Then whisk in the thickener and add the mushrooms. Simmer for 2 minutes, until thick. Then whisk in the coconut cream and serve over pork chops. 

The pork chops are excellent served with young broccoli rabe, which can be quickly steamed or sautéed over medium heat with your preferred oil and garlic until wilted. 

Authentic Turkish Shakshuka

This dish can be served as an appetizer or as a side to a meal with steamed rice, pilaf, pita, or bread. Unfortunately it doesn't photograph well, but it makes up for its presentation in flavor, offering smokey eggplant, tomato, mint and garlic with a creamy sauce -- a healthy addition to any meal.

Recipe

5 Japanese eggplants, chopped small + 1 tbsp salt for soaking
2 cubanelle peppers, diced
1 zucchini, chopped small
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 14 oz can tomato sauce
1/4 tsp black pepper, 1/4 tsp cumin, 1/4 tsp cayenne (or to taste), 1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp chopped mint
grape seed OR preferred oil

1 cup chopped tomatoes, optional garnish

Sauce
1 cup yogurt + 2 crushed garlic cloves OR coconut yogurt + 2 garlic cloves (optional) OR vegan sour cream

Directions:
You may peel the eggplant if you wish; I peel alternating strips to create a striped pattern, which is very common in Turkish cuisine. Chop all of the vegetables. Place the chopped eggplant in cold water with 1 tbsp salt so it is submerged (to remove bitterness)—this stage is optional. Place a plate on top of the eggplant to hold it underwater for about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, sauté the zucchini over medium to medium high with 2 tsp oil so that it browns slightly, about 6 minutes. Set the zucchini aside and sauté the peppers until soft, about 5 minutes. Drain and rinse the eggplant in a colander and use a cloth to press down to dry them. Then sauté the eggplant in at least two batches until it browns slightly over medium heat with plenty of oil (may use up to 1/4 cup total). Once sautéed, add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute or until fragrant. Then add all of the vegetables back into the pan, along with the tomatoes sauce, spices and salt, and simmer until the eggplant is tender, about 10 minutes.

While it simmers, prepare the yogurt by stirring in crushed garlic (optional) and chop the mint.

Serve with yogurt sauce and mint sprinkled over the top. This recipe is excellent with rice, pilaf, bread, or pita bread. 

Apricot Almond Granola

Ginger, Cinnamon, Apple & Almond

Recipe

4 cups gluten free oats
2 tbsp flax seeds
1/3 cup raw almond butter
1/3 cup coconut oil OR preferred oil
2-3 tbsp raw and unfiltered honey OR agave for vegan
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2-1 tsp grated fresh ginger OR 1/4 tsp ginger powder (optional)

1/3 cup raw almonds
1/2 cup sliced apricots OR raisins

Directions:
Whisk the almond butter, oil, honey, cinnamon, and ginger together in a large bowl. If the mixture is thick, give it a 30 second zap in the microwave or gently warm it over the stovetop until it is runny.

If you would like to keep this recipe raw (see note below), stir in the rest of the ingredients: oats, flax seeds, almonds, and apricots and store in the fridge.

Note: I prefer this recipe raw because it tastes very sweet with only a little honey. If it is baked, the sweetness will almost disappear.

Optional: To bake granola, only stir in oats. Bake at 350F for 10 minutes, then stir and bake until is just golden brown, about 8 more minutes. Allow to cool, then add flax seeds, almonds, and dried fruit and store in airtight container.

Green Thai Curry - made with local ingredients

I would not recommend a lot of chopping unless it were well worth it. For the flavors and the massive leftovers, which can be frozen, you will be pleased. This green curry is made mostly with western ingredients, making it easy to source the ingredients and eat locally. 

Recipe

About 10-12 servings, leftovers can be frozen

This recipe is milder than a true Thai curry. If you would like it spicy, add a couple jalapeños with the bell pepper.

1 1/2 lbs chicken, sliced into small bite sized pieces (omit for vegan recipe)
5 Japanese eggplants, 1 inch slices OR 7 eggplants for vegan
1 green bell pepper, sliced into 1 inch thin strips
4 cloves garlic, crushed
1 lb green beans, 1 inch slices
1 sweet potato, sliced into bite sized pieces OR 2 sweet potatoes for vegan
preferred oil as needed (like grape seed or coconut) for sautéing
2 heaping tbsp Thai green curry paste
2-3 cups chicken stock OR coconut milk or water for vegan
2 14 oz cans coconut milk
2 tbsp gluten free soy sauce
1 large lemon, juice + zest, or more to taste
1 tbsp dried basil OR 1/4 cup fresh minced fresh basil, optional

Directions:

1. Slice the vegetables and chicken. Sauté the bell pepper in a pan with 2 tsp of oil over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Then set pepper aside, and sauté the eggplant in 2-3 batches, adding oil as needed. Add the garlic as the last batch of eggplant is almost done cooking and sauté until cooked.

2. Add all of the vegetables back into the pan, along with the rest of the ingredients. Maintain a low simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked and green beans and sweet potatoes are al dente.

3. Adjust the seasoning at the end of cooking with more lemon, zest, a pinch of cayenne, curry paste, or salt if needed. Turn the stove off and allow the curry to rest for 10 minutes. Serve with steamed rice.