Easy Recipes, Healthy and Decadent!

I was introduced to organic coconut oil, earlier this year.  ...  An easy and definitely healthy way was discovered to include it in the diet and also enjoy its introduction into recipes whose formulas have stood the test of time. ...

Coconut oil helps to burn body fat because of its medium chain triglycerides-(MCT). ... It is low in sulphur. ...  It is a soft fat at room temp and melts easily –like butter. Refrigerated, coconut oil becomes rigid and difficult to blend. It is found on the grocery shelves of many grocery stores. There is much to learn and experience using coconut oil.  It imparts a coconut flavour to the foods with which it is paired. Can it be the go-to fat,- in part or in whole- now when making pastry, a healthier alternative to the shortening, butter or lard we all use?  Time will tell. (I have not used it, yet, to make pastry.) ...To test its viability in salad dressing, I decided to reformulate an all time classic: Caesar salad dressing. The results were delicious.

This new dressing had to have the ‘look’ of its counterpart - the characteristic creamy white colour, made of eggs and oil, with garlic.  I soon discovered my version was also delicious. ...  Eggplant was used, replacing the eggs and olive oil  of the original recipe. It was thinly sliced, lightly fried (in coconut oil) or oven roasted (lightly dusted with sea salt and lightly brushed with the oil.)   The eggplant was then pureed with other flavour enhancers: garlic, white pepper, onion powder, parsley, oregano - in a mini food processor or blender. ... Added to this pureed mixture were the remaining liquids: lemon juice and raw apple cider vinegar, in small amounts so as to not overwhelm the overall flavour of this reworked dressing. (Sea salt was added as needed).  

A small amount of ‘melted’ coconut oil was then mixed with the blended ingredients before tossing the homemade dressing onto the bite size pieces of romaine lettuce. ... Refrigerating coconut oil hardens it further, making it near impossible to add to any recipe. (I use it at room temperature and melt it as required) ... (Vegetable ingredients can be ‘pureed’ in advance saving time when making any homemade dressing. Adding a bit of maple syrup to any homemade dressing can increase flavour of salads when fruit is used with salad ingredients)...  Personalize your Caesar dressing with other herbs and spices. ... Toss onto romaine and/or iceberg lettuce to create your own version of this timeless classic.  Toss gently, using two forks to easily lift and separate the leaves of the lettuces. This dressing with its unique flavour will encourage you to eat more romaine lettuce, the nutrient content of which is similar to spinach.

For sweet potato fries, coconut oil was also used.  I used a medium high heat and babysat the fries, blanching them quickly and then fried them later, as needed. Cooking time was greatly reduced this way and fries were ready in an instant. (Be cautious whenever frying. Never leave a frying food unattended). Fries seemed crispier. In the past, grapeseed or peanut oils had been used for French fries and sweet potato fries. 

Organic coconut oil is new to many of us.  Learning to embrace new foods can be the cornerstone for improved health and wellbeing. As we age, our body’s ability to handle certain foods may change, also.  We should be mindful of these changes and perhaps modify not only what we eat but also how certain recipes are interpreted the next time. Slight or major modifications might be in order. ...To be continued,- butter tarts with flaxseeds,  perogies made with a healthy  dough and cabbage rolls made with healthier rice or buckwheat kasha, my favourite grain of all.