Hale and "Hearty" Fare

Today I had an echo cardiogram ordered by my new primary physician. The technician said my heart and valves look great which is just what I wanted to hear. Not that I was expecting anything to be wrong but sometimes doctors hear a very, very slight murmur but the tech didn't see it today. He said if they are slight, they come and go and are nothing to worry about. I kidded him and said, "Then I won't need to exercise anymore, right?" He laughed and said the doctor sure wouldn't be happy with him handing out that advice. I said, "They'd fire you in a heartbeat!" Pardon the pun. My son and husband love to exercise but I think up all kinds of excuses why I don't want to leave my air conditioned house to go and sweat. Besides, I do play lots and lots of golf and that is quite a bit of exercise since I take so many swings. Anyway, I try to eat healthy meals when I cook at home. Here is another favorite of ours to try when peppers are in season and not so costly. Using turkey lowers the fat content.


Recipe: TURKEY KIELBASA AND PEPPERS OVER BROWN RICE


Olive oil

1 large onion, chopped

1 large green bell pepper, sliced

1 large red bell pepper, sliced

1 tablespoon minced garlic

2 Oscar Mayer turkey Polska Kielbasa (14 ounces total), cut on diagonal

2 large or 4 small Roma tomatoes, large chop

1 heaping tablespoon dried oregano

black pepper to taste but go easy at first as sauce is spicy

8 fresh basil leaves, sliced

8 ounces tomato sauce

10 ounces Rotel Original (tomatoes and green chilies)



In heated oil, saute the onion, peppers and garlic about 10 minutes. Don't burn the garlic.
Add the kielbasa, fresh tomatoes and seasonings. Cook about 5 minutes more.

Add the can of tomato sauce and the can of Rotel. Simmer a few minutes, add the fresh basil, and serve over brown rice. I use Mahatma brown rice. One cup serves 4 people.



Note: the Rotel is quite spicy and probably should be substituted with another can of plain tomato sauce if you are feeding children or anyone who cannot tolerate spicy food. It won't be anywhere near as good, though.


I think this would serve 4 people as we two always have leftovers for lunch. Give it a try. Your heart will thank you.

Delicious and Healthy

Here is a healthy dinner that is cooked in one skillet so clean up is a breeze. Since we are just two, this makes more than we can eat in one sitting. Exactly what we love to have...leftovers for lunch which can quickly be warmed up in the microwave. This may sound similar to some of you but I have tweaked it just a bit.

Chicken and Cabbage

2 heaping teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken cut into large-bite-size pieces
Canola or Olive Oil
3 to 4 medium red potatoes, skin left on and cut into 16 pieces each
1 whole head of cabbage cut into several wedges (not too thick or the lid of your pan won't fit)
1 small bag of baby peeled carrots
1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds
black pepper
2 cans low-sodium chicken broth
Taste mid-way through cooking and add salt if necessary.

In a small bowl, completely coat the chicken with Dijon mustard.
Heat oil in a large saute pan and add the chicken and mustard. Saute for about 3 minutes. Place cabbage on top of chicken and sprinkle around the potatoes and carrots and caraway seeds. Season with black pepper. Pour two cans broth over all.

Cover and simmer for 45 or more, tossing the vegetables around in the broth part of the way through. Taste for salt..add some to your liking.

Serve in bowls with extra Dijon added individually at the table.