During that time, I tried to learn as much as I could about medical specific foods & cooking options. As in diabetic, heart related, kidney problems that needed no sugar/carbs, heart healthy fats to use, and less fluids, no or low sodium, etc. I had seen a show on Food Network about using veggies to bring out natural flavors or to enhance them or whatever to make a salt free meal more palatable and stay away from the salt shaker. My only limits were what would directly effect their primary health issues.
Anyway, this is open for anyone to share recipes & ideas that are for the more health conscience. Even if it means tweaking those old heavy comfort foods into a lighter & healthful version. So here is one of mine from yesterday. Tonight's plan in for some kind of Mexican Steak Roll Ups, but since I haven't got it all figured out yet I'll post it later.
Chicken Pasta Green Salad
1 or 2 skinned, boneless chicken breasts, sliced 1/4 inch thick
1-2 Tbls. olive oil
salt & pepper to taste, optional
2 C. rotini pasta, cooked al dente & drained
4-6 C. leafy greens (choice of lettuces, spinach, kale, collards or others to make a good healthy mix)
1 lg tomato cut to desired shape/size (chopped, wedged, sliced)
1 medium cucumber, with or without peel, sliced
1 carrot, peeled of outer skin, then continue using peeler to cut/slice thick shreds or ribbons into salad mix
1/2 C chopped broccoli, cauliflower bits
1/2 C sliced bell peppers (green is great, red, yellow, orange add more color)
1-2 stalks celery sliced or diced
1 can whole black olives
boiled eggs (at least 1 per person)
Add olive oil to skillet on medium high heat, swirl to coat bottom of pan. Add chicken pieces & cook until no longer pink and juices run clear. Drain & set aside to cool. Cook pasta, drain & cool by running under cold water, set aside.
As for veggie choices, only your imagination & particular tastes are the limit here and you can add or subtract to suit your family's preferences. Just so that there is plenty of different veggies included.
I had mixed up all the veggies & pasta in a large stainless steel mixing bowl & topped it with the olives, eggs and chicken pieces.
Other options for including in the mix? Nuts, seeds, raisins, cranberries, apples, mandarin oranges, croutons, bay shrimp, sliced beef or whatever you like & want to add. It's all good & there is no wrong or failure with this one. The possibilities are endless.
