Showing posts with label Astragalus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Astragalus. Show all posts

Monday, 9 June 2014

Slow Cooker Tangy Pineapple Shredded Beef


Summertime is quickly approaching! 

I love my slow cooker!  It's so helpful being able to throw something together in the morning or around lunch time and have it be ready for dinner.  Plus, as the summer heats up, I don't want to use the oven much.  Using the slow cooker is so convenient + it doesn't heat up the house! 

Warmer weather makes me crave shredded beef with LOTS of homemade BBQ sauce + yummy tacos made by my husband {he makes the best, authentic tacos with shredded meat}.  

My shredded beef recipe is so easy to make + takes very little prep time.  You won't find any processed ingredients in this recipe either ... no refined sugars or ketchup!   



SLOW COOKER TANGY PINEAPPLE SHREDDED BEEF

Sweet + savory, this tangy pineapple shredded beef will be the star attraction of many meals. 

{Affiliate links included help support this blog}

EQUIPMENT: Cutting Board, Sharp Quality Chef's Knife, Blender, Large Saucepan, Wooden Spatula, Slow Cooker 

INGREDIENTS 

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Wash the outside of the pineapple - I like to wash mine in a vinegar-water solution.  Using a sharp chef's knife, lay the pineapple on its side and cut off the top and bottom of the fruit.  Stand the pineapple upright and cut off the outer tough skin of the pineapple.  Slice the pineapple in half.  Slice the pineapple into quarters.  Remove the inner core from the slices and cut pineapple slices into chunks.

2. Add pineapple, apple cider vinegar, coconut aminos, maple syrup or honey, garlic, thyme, turmeric + sea salt to a blender.  Blend until pureed and no pineapple chunks remain.  If needed, add 1 cup water to blender.  Set aside.  

3. Melt fat of choice in large saucepan over medium-high heat, about 1 minute until the pan is hot.  Add chuck roast to the pan and sear on each side until browned, about 3 to 5 minutes per side.  

4. Remove the chuck roast from the saucepan and place in the bottom of the slow cooker.  Leave the saucepan on the heat and add about 1 cup of the pineapple mixture to deglaze.  Use a wooden spatula to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan {there's a lot of good flavor in the browned bits}.  Pour the pan sauce over the chuck roast.  Add the 1 cup of water if you did not add it to the pineapple mixture in the blender.  The meat should be almost covered by the liquid.  Add optional strip of astragals root + kombu to the liquid.   


5. Cover slow cooker and cook on high for 5 to 6 hours {or on low for 7-8 hours}, until beef is tender and pulls apart easily. 

6. Place chuck roast on a cutting board and shred with two forks or use a quality kitchen knife and cut in a rustic chop, shredding beef while cutting.  

7. Serve with reduced tangy pineapple sauce + your favorite toppings!


Yield: 3 pounds of shredded beef. 


Serving Suggestions: The meat makes amazing tacos {especially when topped with fresh slaw or fresh salsa, cilantro + lime}, sandwiches + wraps.  It's delicious paired with mashed potatoes, celery root mash or sweet potatoes.  Super yummy with roasted veggies, a simple side salad or homemade slaw.  So good with homemade potato salad too!  

*Note: If you can't find coconut aminos, you can substitute with gluten free tamari.  

Storage: Store shredded meat in the pineapple liquid; place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.  Keeps well for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.  


Make a Tangy Pineapple Sauce: Add leftover pineapple-beef cooking liquid to a medium-size sauce pan.  Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.  Reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes or until sauce thickens and reduces in volume.   

ENJOY SLOW COOKER TANGY PINEAPPLE SHREDDED BEEF WITH ...

Real Food Potato Salad by Raising Generation Nourished  
Classic Mashed Potatoes by Live Simply 
Roasted Broccoli w/ Meyer Lemon by Recipes to Nourish
Scalloped Potatoes by Food Your Body Will Thank You For  
Amazon links are affiliate links, prices are the same for you.  Should you decide to purchase through my blog, thank you in advance and much gratitude for supporting Recipes to Nourish.

This post is shared at Real Food Wednesday @ Kelly the Kitchen Kop. 

Monday, 30 January 2012

Hot Garlic-Ginger Lemonade



This is one of my go-to natural remedies anytime I start to feel a little run down or like I am getting sick.  It’s a wonderful immune boosting drink.  Don’t let the garlic throw you off; this drink is really delicious and soothing.    

Great for colds, flu, coughs, sore throat, respiratory infections, etc.

The stars of this nourishing drink:

Lemon: Cleansing, great for colds, high in vitamin C, soothes sore throat.

Garlic: Naturally antimicrobial, both antiviral and antibacterial, great for colds, flu, and upper respiratory infections.

Ginger: Great for upset tummy, chills, colds, flu and fever (use with caution is pregnant, consult w/ your health care practitioner).

Astragalus Root: Immune system boosting properties.

Cinnamon: Has medicinal properties, is known for it’s warming effect and aids in digestion.  It’s also sweet and spicy. 

Recipe inspired by my midwives and Aviva Jill Romm’s Garlic Lemonade recipe. 

Hot Garlic-Ginger Lemonade

{Affiliate links included help support this blog}

Immune boosting - a wonderful natural remedy for colds and flu. 

Equipment: Medium-Size Saucepan w/ Lid or Tea Kettle, Quart-Size Mason Jar with Lid or Quart-Size Glass Container/Measuring Cup x 2, Fine Mesh Strainer

·      3-4 fresh garlic cloves, chopped, grated or minced
·      1 teaspoon grated ginger, peel, then grate or mince
·      3 pieces astragalus root (buy astragalus root here)
·      2 teaspoons cinnamon chips or 1 small stick, optional (buy cinnamon chips here)
·      4 cups boiling filtered water
·      1 lemon, juiced
·      2 tablespoons honey or organic maple syrup grade B

1.    Prep garlic and ginger – peel, chop/grate.

Grated Ginger, Lemon, Garlic, Astragalus Root

2.   Boil water in sauce pan or tea kettle. 

3.   In a quart-size Mason jar or heat-proof glass container, add chopped garlic, grated ginger, astragalus root and optional cinnamon chips.  CAREFULLY pour boiling water into the Mason jar.  COVER with lid and steep for 30 minutes.
 

4.   Strain with fine mesh strainer into another Mason jar or glass container.

5.    Add the juice of 1 lemon and sweetener of choice to the garlic-ginger mixture.   

6.   Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for later.  Serve hot. 

Yield: 4 cups

Dosage: Drink 1-4 cups daily during illness.

Where to Buy Bulk Herbs & Spices: I buy all of my dried spices and herbs in bulk from Mountain Rose Herbs.

Tip: Whenever I buy ginger, I peel the whole thing and store it in the freezer for longer shelf life.  It is also SO much easier to grate when it's frozen.


Disclaimer: ALL information you read on Recipes to Nourish is purely for informational and educational purposes only.  I love to share and share with love, but I am not a health care practitioner.  This information is not intended to treat, cure or prevent any disease.  If you have questions about food, diet, nutrition, natural remedies or holistic health, please do your own research and consult with your health care practitioner. 

This post is part of Traditional Tuesdays @ Cooking Traditional Foods, Real Food Wednesday @ Kelly the Kitchen Kop, Gluten-Free Wednesdays @ The Gluten-Free Homemaker, Healthy 2day Wednesdays @ day2day joys, Allergy-Free Wednesdays @ Gluten Free Pantry, Pennywise Platter Thursday @ The Nourishing Gourmet, Fight Back Friday @ Food Renegade, Simple Lives Thursday @ A Little Bit of Spain in Iowa, Freaky Friday @ Real Food Freaks, Fresh Bites Friday @ Real Food Whole Health, Homestead Barn Hop @ The Prairie Homestead, Monday Mania @ The Healthy Home Economist, Superfood Sunday Blog Carnival @ Pain Free Pregnancy, Hearth and Soul Hop @ Premeditated Leftovers, and These Chicks Cooked Weekly Recipe Swap @ This Chick Cooks.

Wednesday, 11 January 2012

Chai Tea {Caffeine Free + Immune Boosting}



I LOVE Chai, it’s one of my favorite beverages.  I don’t drink caffeinated drinks, so my version of Chai is without the black tea.  It may not be your common Chai mixture, but it’s still rich, spicy and oh so yummy.

Chai is also nourishing and has the added benefit of medicinal properties.

Cinnamon: Has medicinal properties, is known for it’s warming effect and aids in digestion.  It’s also sweet and spicy.   

Fennel Seeds: Helps with digestion and is excellent for increasing and enriching breastmilk for nursing moms.  It also helps relieve colic or gassiness in babies. 

Ginger Root: Great for upset tummy, chills, colds and fevers (use w/ caution if pregnant, consult w/ your health care practitioner).

Rose Hips: Very high in vitamin C, more so than many other herbs and foods.  They also contain vitamin A, B vitamins, vitamin E, calcium, iron, manganese, selenium and zinc.  They have a wonderful sweet taste.

Cloves: Has medicinal properties and is an amazing antioxidant.  Known for aiding in digestion, helping prevent colds and flu and for pain relief for tooth aches.  Also helps with circulation and is great for the heart, liver and stomach.

Astragalus Root: Immune system boosting properties.

Black Peppercorns: An antioxidant, has medicinal properties and aids in digestion.

Enjoy this Chai year-round – hot in the winter months and iced in the summer.   

Chai Tea

{Affiliate links included help support this blog}

Spicy, Creamy and Absolutely Delicious! 

Equipment: Medium-Size Saucepan w/ Lid, Small Bowl, Large Mason Jar or Heat-Proof Glass Container or Bowl, Fine Mesh Strainer

·      4 cups filtered water
·      3 tablespoons cinnamon chips or 2 sticks
·      1 tablespoon fennel seeds
·      1 tablespoon dried ginger root
·      1 tablespoon rose hips
·      2 teaspoons whole cloves
·      3 astragalus root pieces
·      ½ teaspoon black peppercorns
·      1 cup raw milk*, organic whole milk or coconut milk (See Resources)
·      3 tablespoons local honey or organic grade B maple syrup


1.    In a medium-size saucepan, bring water to a boil.
 
2.   Combine cinnamon chips, fennel seeds, ginger root, rose hips, cloves, astragalus root and peppercorns in a small bowl or on a plate.    
  
Chai Spices & Herbs: Fennel Seeds, Black Peppercorns, Rose Hips, Astragalus Root, Cloves, Cinnamon Chips, Ginger Root

3.   Add all spices and herbs to the boiling water.  Remove from heat, COVER and let steep for 30-45 minutes (the minimum of 30 minutes gives you an Infusion, meaning you will get the full nutritional properties from the spices and herbs). 

4.   When the tea is done steeping, strain tea with a fine mesh strainer into a heatproof bowl or container. 

Beautiful Chai Tea
5.    Pour Chai Tea back into saucepan, add milk and sweetener of choice.  Heat over low heat to desired temperature.

6.   Stir to combine and serve hot.     

Hot Chai Tea ... Mmmmmmm!


Yield: 4-6 servings

Vegan-Option: Replace milk with coconut milk and replace honey with organic grade B maple syrup.

Storage: Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container like a quart-size Mason jar, up to 3 days.  When ready to drink, reheat on the stovetop in a small saucepan. 

Note: This Chai Tea is delicious served over ice during the hot months too!

Where to Buy Bulk Herbs & Spices: I buy all of my dried spices and herbs in bulk from Mountain Rose Herbs.

*For California residents, check out my favorite raw milk from Claravale Farm.  They sell to stores and co-ops all over CA.

Disclaimer: ALL information you read on Recipes to Nourish is purely for informational and educational purposes only.  I love to share and share with love, but I am not a health care practitioner.  This information is not intended to treat, cure or prevent any disease.  If you have questions about food, diet, nutrition, natural remedies or holistic health, please do your own research and consult with your health care practitioner.


This post is part of Real Food Wednesday @ Kelly the Kitchen Kop, Healthy 2day Wednesdays @ day2dayjoys, Pennywise Platter Thursday @ The Nourishing Gourmet, Full Plate Thursday @ Miz Helen's Country Cottage, Simple Lives Thursday @ A Little Bit of Spain in Iowa, Fresh Bites Friday @ Real Food Whole Health, Fight Back Friday @ Food Renegade, Freaky Friday @ Real Food Freaks, Wellness Weekend @ Diet, Dessert and Dogs, Monday Mania @ The Healthy Home Economist, Fat Tuesday @ Real Food Forager, Slightly Indulgent Tuesday @ Simply Sugar and Gluten-Free, and Wildcrafting Wednesday @ Mind Body and Sole.