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Italian Roasted Mushrooms and Veggies – absolutely the easiest way to roast mushrooms, cauliflower, tomatoes and garlic Italian style. Simple and delicious.




I have a simple recipe for you today and that is roasted mushrooms and veggies. I roast veggies like this all the time, on a weekly basis. This time I chose to use gorgeous and delicious cremini mushrooms, cauliflower and tomatoes. If you’ve never had roasted tomatoes before, my friends, this needs to go on your bucket list because it’s the best thing ever. Don’t cut them up or anything, I like to use cocktail tomatoes, and I roast them whole, then as you bite into them you get an explosion of flavor in your mouth, one of my favorite things.

I also added loads of garlic here, and that is whole garlic cloves, they roast nicely and once done you can almost spread them on a piece of bread, like butter, so good. But the roasted mushrooms are to die for, they’re incredible.




The beauty of this side dish is of course its simplicity. All you have to do is toss all the mushrooms and veggies together in a bowl with some olive oil, salt, pepper and Italian seasoning. If you don’t have Italian seasoning, all it is is thyme, basil, oregano and rosemary, so if you have those herbs just make your own Italian seasoning. If you want the mushrooms and veggies to have a bit of kick to them add some red pepper chili flakes.




Then just roast everything for about 20 or 30 minutes at 400 F degrees and garnish with some fresh parsley. How much more simple could a side dish get? As I said I make this often, but not only in this combination. I love to use baby potatoes with tomatoes, or onion, peppers and sweet potatoes. The possibilities truly are endless. I usually serve this alongside roasted chicken drumsticks or roasted pork loin or pork chops.

Oh and if your tomatoes burst open while roasting, you’ll want to make sure you get some crusty bread to soak up all that tomato juice all mixed in with the olive oil and herbs. It’s a good thing!


PREPARATION


Preheat oven to 400 F degrees.
In a bowl add all the mushrooms and veggies. Drizzle with olive oil then add Italian seasoning, salt, pepper and toss until well combined.
Dump the veggies to a baking sheet and place in the preheat oven. Roast for 20 to 30 minutes or until mushrooms are golden brown and cauliflower is fork tender.
Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Recipe Notes

If you do not have Italian seasoning you can use equal amounts of basil, oregano, rosemary and thyme.
Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.




INGREDIENTS

1 lb cremini mushrooms cleaned
2 cups cauliflower cut into small florets
2 cups cocktail tomatoes
12 cloves garlic peeled
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
salt and pepper to taste
1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped



NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Amount Per Serving (181 g)     Calories 91 Calories from Fat 45     Total Fat 5.01g 8%
Saturated Fat 0.727g 4%     Polyunsaturated Fat 0.671g     Monounsaturated Fat 3.314g     Sodium 122mg 5%     Potassium 532mg 15%     Total Carbohydrates 9.73g 3%     Dietary Fiber 2.5g 10%     Sugars 4.09g      Protein 4.07g 8%     Vitamin A 26%     Vitamin C 62%     Calcium 3%     Iron 6%



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My family is more of the pumpkin pie kin. Sweet potatoes are left for marshmallow-topped casseroles. No shame there.

Recently, I’ve been craving them all the time. For instance, in granola or buried under a mound of chickpeas, Mediterranean style.

But I’ve yet to thrust them into the breakfast scene. And if there’s one nutrient-packed root veg that deserves the morning spotlight, it’s this guy.




Sweet potatoes are a powerhouse when it comes to nutrition.

They’re rich in beta carotene and vitamins A and C, and they act as an anti-inflammatory in the body. One large potato provides 4 grams protein, 6 grams of fiber, and just 162 calories. So, indulge away my friends. Indulge away.




These oats require just 7 ingredients and about 30 minutes start to finish. And, if you bake (or microwave) your sweet potatoes ahead of time (like me!), it’ll go even faster and you’ll always have some on hand to add to your morning oats or a quick soup.

Though I made this version with rolled oats, I included notes for using steel cut oats as well. You can also find my other steel-cut oat recipe here served with brown sugar pears, as well as my favorite Creamy Pumpkin Oats with Blueberries.

So many oats, so little time.

To give this dish a more indulgent “sweet potato pie” feel, I topped it with my Pumpkin Maple Pecan Granola! But of course, it would be just as delicious with any granola and a few roasted or raw pecans or walnuts.




These oats scream fall. They’re:

Warm
Comforting
Perfectly sweet
Cinnamon-infused
Loaded with sweet potato flavor
Simple
Healthy
Creamy with a bit of crunch from the granola
& Perfect for chilly fall mornings

If you make this recipe, be sure to take a photo and tag it #Cooks Network on Instagram! We try and look at every photo you guys post, and it always makes our day when we see what you’re cooking up. Cheers, and happy fall!


PREPARATION


To roast your sweet potato, preheat oven to 400 degrees F (204 F) and cut a sweet potato in half and lightly coat with olive oil. Place flesh side down on a foil lined baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes or until soft and tender. This will depend on your size of potato. (Alternatively, pierce a few times with a fork and microwave for 4-5 minutes until tender.)

Once done, pull potatoes out of the oven and start your oats (see notes for steel cut directions). Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan. Once boiling add your oats and reduce heat to medium. Continue cooking until the oats have absorbed most of the water - about 5 minutes - stirring frequently.
In the meantime, mashed your sweet potato and measure out roughly 1/2 cup. Set aside.

Once your oats are just about done cooking (~5 minute mark), stir in sweet potato puree, sweetener of choice, cinnamon and flax seed and stir to combine. Taste and adjust flavor/seasonings as desired. To thin, add a splash of non-dairy milk (such as almond).

Divide oats between two serving bowls and sprinkle with Pumpkin Maple Pecan Granola (or roasted pecans). Add a drizzle of honey for more sweetness. Enjoy immediately. Best when fresh.

Notes

*To make this recipe with steel-cuts oats, add 3/4 cup raw steel cut oats to 1 1/4 cup boiling water, reduce heat to simmer and cover. It's recommended to cook for up to 25 minutes, but I prefer mine with a little more texture and only cook them for 15 minutes until they've just absorbed the water. If you prefer softer oats add 1/4 more water in the beginning and continue cooking until the 20-25 minute mark.





INGREDIENTS


1 cup rolled oats, GF for gluten-free eaters (see instructions for steel-cut oats)*
1 3/4 cups water
1/2 cup sweet potato puree (~1 small potato | see below for roasting instructions)
2-3 Tbsp brown sugar, maple syrup, or other sweetener of choice (like date paste)
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
optional: 1/2 Tbsp flaxseed meal
3 Tbsp Pumpkin Maple Pecan Granola (or sub roasted pecans)



NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Serving size: 1 bowl (1/2 recipe) Calories: 253 Fat: 8.8g Saturated fat: 1.5g Carbohydrates: 55.9g Sugar: 15.7g Sodium: 22mg Fiber: 8g Protein: 9.7g



SWEET POTATO HEALTH BENEFITS


Diabetes

Sweet potatoes are considered low on the glycemic index scale, and recent research suggests they may reduce episodes of low blood sugar and insulin resistance in people with diabetes.

The fiber in sweet potatoes is also important. Studies have shown that people with type 1 diabetes who consume high-fiber diets have lower blood glucose levels, and people with type 2 diabetes have improved blood sugar, lipids, and insulin levels. One medium sweet potato with the skin on provides about 6 grams of fiber.

Blood pressure

Maintaining a low sodium intake helps keep a healthy blood pressure. However, increasing potassium intake may be just as important. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, fewer than 2 percent of American adults are meeting the daily 4,700-milligram (mg) recommendation for potassium. One medium sweet potato provides about 542 mg.

High potassium intake is linked to a 20 percent decrease in the risk of death from all causes.

Cancer

According to a study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health's Department of Nutrition, among younger men, diets rich in beta-carotene may help protect against prostate cancer. Beta-carotene may also protect against colon cancer, according to a Japanese study.

Digestion and regularity


Because of its high fiber content, sweet potatoes help to prevent constipation and promote regularity for a healthy digestive tract.



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People who like tacos are good people.

I mean, how can you go wrong? Delicious, savory, crunchy, colorful fillings in a portable shell – it’s literally what dreams are made of. Well, that and Peanut Butter Cup Pie, am I right?




In my quest to switch up breakfast, these simple, colorful tacos came to mind.

I’ve recently been into pomegranate arils on EVERYTHING, especially baked sweet potatoes with black beans, onion, cilantro and salsa. It’s literally my go-to lunch these days and I have no plans of changing that anytime soon. I highly recommend it right after you nosh on these tacos.




This recipe comes together in about 30 minutes and is seriously versatile!

Not a tofu fan? Sub roasted sweet potatoes or leave it out. No cilantro? Sub kale. Mash your black beans for more a “refried” feel. The breakfast possibilities are endless.




These tacos would make a colorful, filling and healthy breakfast or brunch for two, and are easy to multiply for a crowd. Bonus? The toppings keep for days in the fridge so you can make them ahead and nosh on them all week in various forms.

I hope you give these a try! And if you do, be sure to tag a picture #Cooks Network on Instagram so we can see. Cheers!


PREPARATION


Wrap tofu in a clean, absorbent towel and place something heavy on top, such as a cast-iron skillet, while prepping toppings.

Cook black beans in a small saucepan over medium heat until bubbly. Then reduce heat to simmer and set aside. If unsalted/unseasoned, add a pinch of salt, cumin, chili powder, and garlic powder.
Add dry tofu spices + salsa to a small bowl and add enough water to make a pourable sauce. Set aside.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and unwrap tofu. Use a fork to crumble.
Once the pan is hot, add 1-2 Tbsp oil of choice and the tofu. Stir fry for 4-5 minutes to brown. Then add seasoning and toss to coat. Continue cooking until browned and fragrant - about 5-10 minutes - stirring frequently. Set aside.

To serve, warm tortillas in the microwave wrapped in a damp paper towel or in a 250-degree F (121 C) oven (optional). Top tortillas with tofu scramble, black beans, onion, avocado, cilantro, salsa, fresh lime juice, and pomegranate arils (or desired toppings).

Serve immediately with the best breakfast potatoes or fruit.

Notes

*Nutrition is a rough estimate for 1 of 4 generously filled tacos.
*Tofu adapted from my Spicy Southwest Tofu Scramble, originally inspired by Eat Within Your Means.




INGREDIENTS


TACOS

8 ounces firm tofu
1 cup cooked black beans
1/4 red onion, diced
1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 ripe avocado, sliced (or sub guacamole)
1/2 cup salsa for serving (hot sauce also optional)
1 lime sliced, for serving
1/4 cup pomegranate arils
Corn tortillas (2 per person)

TOFU SEASONING

3/4 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1/8 tsp sea salt
1 Tbsp salsa
1 Tbsp water


NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Serving size: 1 of 4 tacos     Calories: 259 Fat: 11g     Carbohydrates: 32g     Sugar: 7.7g     Sodium: 451mg     Fiber: 8.7g     Protein: 10.5g


Benefits Of Avocado


Skin and Hair Care

Avocados are packed with nutrients that are beneficial for maintaining healthy skin. It enriches skin that is dry, chapped or damaged. They are added to a variety of cosmetics due to their ability to nourish the skin with essential vitamins and make it glow. It is also used for nourishing dry and damaged hair. Many people use avocados to prepare skin and hair masks. Above all, avocado oil helps in treating plaque psoriasis. Beta-carotene and lycopene are two organic compounds found in large quantities in avocados. Both of these have been connected to improving the health and tone of your skin and eliminating signs of premature aging.

Liver Care

Avocados are very good at reducing liver damage. It has certain organic compounds that help in improving liver health. Liver damage is normally caused due to Hepatitis C. Findings of a recent research study suggest that avocados may play a major role in toning up and protecting your liver from a wide variety of conditions.

Improves Vision

Avocados help keep your eyes healthy. They contain carotenoids such as lutein and zeaxanthin, which help to protect your eyes against cataracts, eye diseases related to age, and macular degeneration. These conditions are often caused by free radicals that accumulate in the tissues of the eyes. The antioxidant activity of these special carotenoids in avocados neutralize the effects of those dangerous free radicals.



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This roasted beetroot napoleon with walnut-chive cream is an elegant vegan appetizer packed with rich flavors. It looks fancy enough to impress your dinner guests, but they couldn’t be simpler to make!





I’m all about easy, yet impressive recipes. And it doesn’t get easier than this gorgeous roasted beetroot napoleon.

Beetroot can be a divisive vegetable. For many, there are horror-filled memories of tinned pickled beetroot that tasted more of sweetened vinegar than anything else. I remember that wicked concoction being served alongside Thanksgiving dinner, and grew up thinking that was the only way beets could be eaten.

But roasted beetroot is actually a beautiful (and delicious) thing, and has become one of my favorite go-to ingredients for vegan meals. It’s earthy, yet subtly sweet. Kind of like the consistency of a roasted potato, but less crispy. Careful pairing can balance the deeply earthy characteristic that some people find a little overwhelming.

let’s make a roasted beetroot napoleon!

I often get asked how to cook beets. I admit that they can look a bit intimidating at first, but it’s actually really simple. I almost always roast my beets, as I think it’s the simplest way to prepare them and is the best way to bring out their sweetness. To roast beets, just coat them in olive oil and wrap them in baking paper. You can also use aluminum foil if you have it handy, but I’ve found they come out best with the baking/parchment paper. Roast them in the oven for 30-40 minutes, and that’s it. When they cool, it’s super easy to peel the skins off the cooked beets.

My beetroot napoleons are filled with a dairy-free walnut cream, spiked with chives and a little apple cider vinegar to contrast the sweet earthiness. Bitter salad greens and maple roasted walnuts add the final finishing touch for an explosion of flavors.





The walnuts, for the walnut chive cream, are soaked for a few hours, or overnight, and blitzed until smooth in a food processor. Use good quality walnuts for the freshest flavor. I like to use these Kirkland walnuts – they are always fresh and are a great value. A good food processor will also make this so much easier and faster to prepare. I am a huge fan of my Oster 3-in-1. It’s really convenient to have a blender and food processor all in one device, so it takes up way less space in my cluttered kitchen. And it makes quick work of anything I toss into it.

If you want to be extra fancy, you can use a round cookie cutter to cut all your beetroot slices into the same size and shape. But it will taste just as good if you skip this step!


PREPARATION


Trim the beetroot and wrap each beetroot in baking paper or foil to roast. I prefer to use baking paper as I find it cooks quicker, but if you have foil, by all means use that. Before encasing, each beetroot add a splash of olive oil. Roast 180 celsius (350 Fahrenheit) for 40 minutes or until tender.

When the beetroot is cool peel and slice about 1/2 cm or 1/4 inch thick. Add the balsamic, olive oil, sugar and salt to a bowl. Whisk to combine and add the beetroot and toss to coat. At this point, you can leave the beetroot overnight to marinate in the fridge.

To make the maple walnuts, preheat the oven to 180 celsius (350 fahrenheit) and toss the walnuts in the maple syrup and salt. Scatter in a single layer on a baking tray and bake for 15 minutes.

To make the walnut cream drain the walnuts well and add to a food processor. Add the water, apple cider vinegar, nutritional yeast, miso and oil. Process until a smooth paste.

Remove the walnut cream from the food processor bowl and add the onion and chives and season to taste.

Shake the marinade off the beetroot. If you want to go that extra mile and impress your guests use a cookie cutter and trim each slice of beetroot to the same size. Place a slice on 4 serving plates. Top with a dollop of the walnut cream, spreading it to the edge of the beetroot. Top with another layer of beetroot and repeat until you have 4 slices of beetroot and 3 layers of the cream. Serve with salad leaves, a scattering of the maple walnuts and a few drops of the beetroot marinade scattered over the plate.

Recipe Notes
Subscribe for more vegetarian recipes from Delicious Everyday.





INGREDIENTS


ROASTED BEETROOT

400 g beetroot (14 oz)
3 tbs extra virgin olive oil
3 tbs balsamic vinegar
pinch sugar
salt and pepper to taste

MAPLE ROSTED WALNUTS

1/2 cup walnuts
1 tbs maple syrup
pinch sea salt

WALNUT CHIVE CREAM

1 cup walnuts soaked overnight
1/3 cup water
2 tsp apple cider vinegar
3 tsp nutritional yeast
1 tsp white miso
2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tbs chives finely chopped
1/4 red onion finely diced
salt to taste
salad greens to serve



NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Calories 479     Calories from Fat 369    Total Fat 41g 63%    Saturated Fat 4g 20%    Sodium 139mg 6%    Potassium 583mg 17%    Total Carbohydrates 22g 7%    Dietary Fiber 6g 24%    Sugars 13g     Protein 9g 18%    Vitamin A 2%    Vitamin C 8.1%    Calcium 6.8%    Iron 12.8%



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My vegan mushroom bolognese is a fun spin on the Italian classic. Mushrooms are used for a rich and delicious vegan bolognese that is sure to please the whole family! 




I’ve partnered with the Food Club to bring you this Mushroom Vegan Bolognese recipe as part of their Family Favourites Challenge. This fabulous challenge takes a look at food and recipes, and how they have been passed down through the generations.

Rosa was a lovely Italian lady that lived next door, with her husband, to my grandparents. They had the most amazing vegetable garden which was always overflowing with fabulous fresh vegetables.

When my brother and I visited my grandparents, if we were good, we were allowed to go next door to visit Rosa, feed her chickens, and help pick various vegetables for that night’s dinner.

Rosa’s garden produced so many vegetables that my Grandmother was the lucky recipient of any surplus vegetables, some of them unfamiliar to my Scottish grandmother.

So, over the years, Rosa started to teach my Grandmother some of her favourite family recipes, partly to show my grandmother how to use those vegetables. And this was how my Grandmother started making spaghetti bolognese (known to the Italians as ragu).

Over the years, each generation of my family has put their spin on this classic recipe. My Grandmother had her version, ever so slightly tweaked from Rosa’s, to suit my Grandfather’s palate. Mum had hers and now, I have my vegan spaghetti bolognese.

My mushroom vegetarian bolognese sauce recipe is the biggest deviation from the classic, but, in many ways, I think it stays true to this ultimate comfort food.

Replacing the ground meat, traditionally found in spaghetti bolognese are juicy, umami-laden mushrooms for a delicious vegan bolognese sauce.

I use mushrooms as a faithful meat replacement in so many recipes (my Mushroom Shepherd’s Pies, Mushroom and Quinoa Meatballs, and my Mushroom Banh Mi are great examples) and they work just as well here, helping the vegetarian bolognese sauce to develop many of the rich, complex flavours of the original that the spaghetti absorbs.


PREPARATION


Place a large frying pan over a medium heat and add the olive oil. Add the onion, carrots and celery, season with salt and cook until slightly golden and caramelised.

Next, add the mushrooms. I like to do this in 4 batches, so they all get a chance to cook properly. Once each batch is cooked add more, until all of the mushrooms are cooked. Add the garlic and thyme, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the garlic is cooked.

Now remove the wild mushrooms from the boiling water, reserving the soaking water, and roughly chop the wild mushrooms. Add to the wild mushrooms along with the tomato paste to the pan and increase the heat to medium-high. Add the red wine, mushroom soaking liquid and soy sauce. Cook until the wine has almost evaporated before adding the tinned tomatoes and season with salt.

Move the frying pan to your smallest burner, cover and reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes to 1 hour (depending on your patience although the longer it cooks the better the flavour, check and stir occasionally to make sure it isn't catching), or until the sauce is thick and rich. Check and adjust the seasonings as necessary and remove from the heat.

Just before the sauce is ready, bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Season generously with salt, and add the spaghetti and cook according to the packet directions. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water and return to the saucepan and top with the mushroom bolognese and cooking water. Toss to combine and divide between 4 bowls to serve. Top with grated parmesan or nutritional yeast if you are vegan.





INGREDIENTS


2 tbs olive oil
1 onion diced
2 medium sized carrots peeled and diced
1 celery stalk diced
3 cloves of garlic chopped
1 tbs thyme leaves roughly chopped
10 g (1/3 oz) dried wild mushrooms reconstituted in 2½ tbs boiling water
500 g mushrooms diced, 1 pound
1 tbs tomato paste
1 cup red wine shiraz and pinot noir work well here
2 tbs soy sauce
400 g (14 oz) can of chopped Italian tomatoes
salt and pepper to taste
400 g (14 oz) dried spaghetti




NUTRITION INFORMATION

Serving Size: 1 (103 g)     Servings Per Recipe: 6

Calories 52    Calories from Fat 1 3%    Total Fat 0.2 g 0%    Saturated Fat 0 g 0%    Cholesterol 0 mg 0%    Sodium 17.2 mg 0%    Total Carbohydrate 6.9 g 2%    Dietary Fiber 1.5 g 5%    Sugars 2.6 g 10%    Protein 1.1 g 2%



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Let’s just go ahead and call this what it is, ok? Hibiscus week.

Seriously, though, I didn’t realize a pound of dried hibiscus would be so much. And as a result of my overzealous purchase, these fragrant flowers are finding their way into some unusual places. Savory things and sweet things, drinkable concoctions and edible delicacies. Taylor’s even using some in his next batch of beer. Don’t blame me, blame this recipe.

Because I haven’t been able to get these enchiladas out of my head since I first saw the recipe nearly 2 years ago.




At the time, I had seen some dried hibiscus flowers at Trader Joe’s. Or, at least I thought I had. Constantly haunted by visions of hibiscus enchiladas, I swear I scanned the dried fruit section at TJ’s every time we went. Weekly. For the last year and half.

Nothing.

Well, plenty of raisins and dried figs and freeze-dried blueberries, but not a trace of hibiscus. They must have been discontinued (like many of the best products at Trader Joe’s). That, or I was delusional and never saw them to begin with.

I was still unable to shake the thought of these unusual enchiladas (that would make a good band name, don’t you think? The Unusual Enchiladas. I like it.) Anyway, I finally broke down and ordered some dried hibiscus flowers online.




The hibiscus flowers are rehydrated and used inside the enchiladas in place of meat, their chewy texture perfectly suited and equally satisfying along with some shredded carrot and jicama (a Mexican root with a texture like a radish and a sweet, starchy flavor somewhere between a potato and a watermelon). They are topped with a simple chipotle tomato sauce, shredded purple cabbage, sour cream and crumbled cotija or feta cheese.

The verdict? Totally worth obsessing over.





PREPARATION


For filling, bring hibiscus flowers and 2 cups water to a simmer in a small saucepan. Remove from heat; let steep until flowers are just tender, 5–8 minutes. Strain, reserving flowers (the liquid can be saved for another use).


Heat olive oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat; add onion and sauté until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add softened hibiscus flowers, carrots, jicama, sugar, oregano, and thyme and cook, stirring occasionally, until carrots are tender and liquid is mostly evaporated, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Keep warm.


Meanwhile, combine tomatoes, onion, garlic, and chipotle chilies along with 2 cups of water in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes begin to break down, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer mixture to a blender, in batches if necessary (be cautious blending hot liquids). Purée until smooth.


Carefully wipe out saucepan; add oil and return to medium-high heat. When oil begins to shimmer, carefully add tomato mixture and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt.


Pour vegetable oil into a large skillet to a depth of 1/4-inch; heat over medium-high heat until shimmering. Working in batches, submerge tortillas and fry, turning once, until just softened, about 30 to 45 seconds (no longer, you do not want them crispy). Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Spoon 1/4 cup of filling down the center of each tortilla and roll to enclose. Spoon chipotle sauce over top and garnish with sour cream, cabbage, and cheese.




INGREDIENTS


For Filling:

1 cup dried hibiscus flowers*
1/4 cup olive oil
1 large onion, thinly sliced
2 large carrots, grated
1/2 cup grated jicama
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper


For Sauce:

2 pounds ripe plum tomatoes, cored, halved (or substitute 1 28-ounce can of whole plum tomatoes, drained and halved)
1/2 white onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
2 canned chipotle chiles in adobo
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 large dried bay leaves
Kosher salt


For Assembly:

Vegetable oil, for frying
12 6-inch corn tortillas
1 cup sour cream
1 cup thinly sliced purple cabbage (from about 1/2 a small cabbage)
1/2 cup Cotija or feta cheese, crumbled




NUTRITION INFORMATION

Serving Size: 1 (385 g)     Servings Per Recipe: 6

Calories 314.3     Calories from Fat 137 44%    Total Fat 15.3 g 23%    Saturated Fat 2.1 g 10%    Cholesterol 0 mg 0%    Sodium 50.5 mg 2%    Total Carbohydrate 42.8 g 14%    Dietary Fiber 6.8 g 27%    Sugars 15.5 g 62%    Protein 4.9 g 9%


HEALTH BENEFITS


Anti-cancer Properties


Hibiscus spice or tea contains hibiscus protocatechuic acid which has anti-tumor and antioxidant properties. A study conducted by the Department and Institute of Biochemistry at the Chung Shan Medical and Dental College, in Taichung, Taiwan suggests that hibiscus slows down the growth of cancerous cells by inducing apoptosis, commonly known as programmed cell death.


Relieves Menstrual Pain

The health benefits of hibiscus spice or tea include relief from cramps and menstrual pain. It helps in restoring hormonal balance as well, which can reduce the symptoms of menstruation like mood swings, depression, and overeating.

Acts as Antidepressant Agent

Hibiscus spice or tea contains vitamins and minerals like flavonoids which have antidepressant properties. Consumption of hibiscus tea can help calm down the nervous system, and it may reduce anxiety and depression by creating a relaxed sensation in the mind and body.

Improves Digestion


Many people drink hibiscus tea to improve digestion as it regularizes both urination and bowel movements. Since it has diuretic properties, it is also used to treat constipation, which helps you lose weight, improve the health of your gastrointestinal system, and avoid colorectal cancer.




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Traditional versions of stuffed peppers use green bell peppers, ground beef and rice. Here’s my updated recipe for turkey quinoa stuffed peppers with ground turkey, nutrition-packed quinoa and tomatoes. And I’ve added sweet dried currants, warming spices, plus a little feta cheese for some tang. You can even make the stuffing ahead of time to save time. Notes for dietary options are at the end.




Turkey Quinoa Stuffed Peppers: Choosing Bell Peppers

Bell peppers are packed with vitamins C, A and E and make a great vessel for a savory filling and satisfying dinner. For the bell peppers, choose red or orange. Brighter colored peppers have more nutrition in them and a sweeter taste. Pick through what’s available and choose fat, round peppers if you can. If all that’s available is long and narrow, don’t worry; the recipe will still work just fine. Just follow my notes.

Choose peppers that are smooth-skinned (not wrinkled), richly colored, and heavy for their size. On shape – if the peppers are short, squatty and round, trim off the top and fill them whole. If they are long and narrow, do not cut off the top; cut them in half stem to end all of the way through for filling. Trim out the ribs and seeds from peppers with your fingers and a sharp paring knife until they are clean inside. After sautéing the filling, stuff your peppers and bake according to my directions below.

Make The Filling

I prefer mild tasting ground turkey instead of beef. When you shop for ground turkey, read the label or talk with the butcher to understand the fat content. Ground turkey can have a big range in terms of fat. It’s not automatically lower in fat than beef, as you might think. If you can get 10% – 15% lean ground turkey, it’s a good choice. If you prefer beef over turkey, this recipe works great with beef too. Just choose lean beef.

Instead of rice, I use quinoa – light, fluffy, and packed with protein and fiber. It’s also a complete protein, meaning it provides all of the essential amino acids our bodies need. It’s a great swap for rice in this recipe.




Dietary Options

Vegetarian option

Eliminate the turkey and add your favorite bean. Black beans, Cannellini beans, kidney beans or pinto beans all work well. Use canned beans to save time. Rinse and drain them first. I use Eden Organics because they use BPA-free cans.

Vegan or dairy-free option

Do the vegetarian option and skip the feta cheese. Stuffed bell peppers are a healthy, tasty and nutritious main dish. Add a tossed green salad and you are set.


PREPARATION

Start by rinsing the quinoa under cold running through a fine sieve. Place rinsed quinoa in a small pot. Add 1 1/2 cups of cold water to the pot. Bring it to a boil, then cover and turn heat down to low.  Cook 15-18 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to finish by steaming 5-10 minutes more. Fluff with a fork and set aside.

Prepare the peppers to be stuffed. If the peppers are round and fat, cut off the top to open up the pepper. If the shape is long and narrow, do not cut off the top. Cut the pepper in half lengthwise from stem to bottom. With a sharp paring knife and your fingers, trim out the ribs and seeds until the pepper is clean inside. If they do not sit flat, trim a tiny bit off the bottom so they are stable. Be careful not to cut through the pepper.

Heat oil in a medium sauté pan or skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until it is soft and translucent. Turn heat down to medium low if it starts to brown. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute, stirring. Add the turkey, cumin, ginger, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring to break up the turkey, until the pink is just gone. Stir in the tomatoes with their juice, currants, feta and quinoa.

Fill peppers firmly with the turkey-quinoa mixture. Mound it a little on top. Place peppers in a shallow casserole or baking dish, cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees (177 C) oven until hot all of the way through, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees (74C), about 35 -40 minutes. Serve as soon as possible  Alternatively, cool completely, cover the peppers and refrigerate. To serve the next day, heat covered in a 350 oven until hot.

Recipe Notes

For 2 servings: make the entire recipe for the stuffing. Use what you need and freeze the extra for future stuffed peppers. That’s a good time saving step.




INGREDIENTS

3/4 cup uncooked quinoa
4 large bell peppers red, orange or yellow
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
2 large garlic cloves finely chopped
3/4 pound ground turkey
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger or jarred puree
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1-14 ounce  can of petite diced tomatoes
2 tablespoons dried currants
4 ounces crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup finely chopped parsley


NUTRITION INFORMATION

Serving Size: 1 (422 g)     Servings Per Recipe: 6

Calories 339.7    Calories from Fat 100 30%    Total Fat 11.2 g 17%    Saturated Fat 2.4 g 12%    Cholesterol 54.6 mg 18%    Sodium 505.3 mg 21%    Total Carbohydrate 38.2 g 12%    Dietary Fiber 6.2 g 24%    Sugars 10.9 g 43%    Protein 24 g 47%


Broad-Based Nutrient Benefits from Bell Peppers

While green leafy vegetables and cruciferous vegetables often get more time in the public spotlight than bell peppers, it would be wrong to overlook the rich diversity of nutrients in this sometimes underrated food. In our WHFoods rating system, bell peppers achieve 16 total rankings of either "excellent," "very good," or "good" for their rich conventional nutrient content. Included among the conventional nutrients provided in excellent amounts by bell peppers are vitamin C, vitamin A (in the form of carotenoids), and vitamin B6. In fact, bell peppers are our Number 1 vegetable source of vitamin C at WHFoods, and our second best source of vitamin C overall (after papaya). They are also our Number 5 food source of vitamin B6.

In the "very good" conventional nutrient category, bell peppers provide us with a good number of B vitamins (including vitamin B2, vitamin B3, foloate, and pantothenic acid), as well as vitamin E, potassium, molybdenum, and fiber. Bell peppers also contain vitamin K, vitamin B1, manganese, phosphorus, and magnesium in good amounts. Overall, we get a remarkable wealth of conventional nutrients from this popular vegetable



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