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Chicken and Peppers with Almond Chimichurri
Sauce
Courtesy of
www.wholefoodsmarket.com
Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free
Serves 6

This versatile nut and herb-based pureed sauce is a staple condiment
on the Argentinean table. Bright herbs, robust garlic, rich almonds
and piquant citrus flavors combine for a sauce that you'll want to
try with chicken, beef, pork or vegetables. Enjoy leftover sauce as
a sandwich spread or dip for raw veggies.
Chicken and Peppers
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1 medium red bell pepper
1 medium yellow bell pepper
1 poblano pepper
1 small onion
3 chicken breasts (about 2 pounds), skinned and boned
Chimichurri Sauce
1 small onion
1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
3 cloves garlic
1 jalapeño, seeds removed
1 1/2 cups packed cilantro leaves
1/2 cup packed parsley leaves
1 teaspoon fresh oregano leaves
1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the chicken and peppers, position rack about 4 inches from heat
element and preheat broiler to high. In a small bowl, combine olive
oil, salt and black pepper. Remove seeds from peppers, cut into
2-inch pieces and transfer to a medium bowl. Cut onions into 2-inch
pieces and combine with peppers. Drizzle half the oil mixture over
the vegetables and toss to coat. Cut chicken breasts in half
horizontally to make 6 thin cutlets and brush with remaining olive
oil mixture. Position cutlets on the center of a large baking sheet
and arrange vegetables around chicken. Place under broiler and cook
8 to 12 minutes, until chicken is tender and no longer pink and
vegetables are slightly charred.
Meanwhile, make the chimichurri sauce. In the bowl of a food
processor, pulse onion, almonds, garlic and jalapeño until roughly
chopped. Add cilantro, parsley, oregano, olive oil, red wine
vinegar, lime juice and salt. Pulse until finely chopped.
Chimichurri should be processed into a thick paste but not
liquefied. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding salt, pepper, jalapeño
and lime juice if needed. To serve, divide chicken and peppers among
plates and top chicken with almond chimichurri.
Nutrition Info Per serving (About 8.25oz/234g-wt.): 430 calories
(260 from fat), 29g total fat, 4.5g saturated fat, 34g protein, 12g
total carbohydrate (4g dietary fiber, 4g sugar), 85mg cholesterol,
480mg sodium
Mediterranean Deviled Eggs
Courtesy of
www.wholefoodsmarket.com
Gluten-Free
Makes 24 deviled eggs

Bright lemon zest, briny capers and salty
anchovies complement each other in this Mediterranean version of the
classic deviled egg. Omit anchovies if you don't like them, or
garnish with a tiny sliver of an anchovy fillet if you like them a
lot!
1 dozen large eggs
1 tablespoon finely chopped flat-leaf parsley,
more for garnish
1 tablespoon finely chopped, rinsed capers 1/4
teaspoon anchovy paste, more to taste Zest of 1 lemon, finely minced
Juice of 1/2 lemon
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons cold water
Pepper to taste
Place eggs in a pot large enough to hold them all
in a single layer. Cover by 3 inches of cold water and place on the
stovetop over high heat. Once the water starts simmering briskly,
reduce heat to medium high and cook for 12 minutes. Use a slotted
spoon to transfer eggs to a bowl of ice-cold water. Let cool for 5
or 10 minutes, then peel. Slice eggs lengthwise. Remove yolks and
place them in a medium bowl. Arrange egg white halves on a rimmed
baking sheet.
To prepare the filling, add parsley, capers,
anchovy paste, lemon zest, mayonnaise, mustard and water to yolks
and mash. Taste and add pepper. The filling will be salty from the
capers and anchovy, so additional salt will not be needed.
Use two small spoons to scoop filling into egg
white halves. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve.
Nutrition Info Per serving (2 deviled egg
halves/61g-wt.): 100 calories (70 from fat), 7g total fat, 2g
saturated fat, 6g protein, 1g total carbohydrate (0g dietary fiber,
0g sugar), 215mg cholesterol, 130mg sodium
Blueberry Banana Smoothie
Courtesy of
www.wholefoodsmarket.com
Dairy-Free, Low-Sodium, Soy Food, Vegan
Serves 2
Adding
ground flax offers a healthful boost of omega 3's, fiber and
protein. Smoothies are a great dairy-free alternative to a milk
shake, satisfying the desire for something sweet, icy cold and
creamy.
1 ripe fresh or frozen banana, peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks
1 cup frozen or fresh blueberries
6 ounces blueberry soy yogurt
3/4 cup plain soy milk (more or less to taste) 1 tablespoon finely
ground flax seed
1 teaspoon agave nectar, or to taste
1 tablespoon protein powder, optional
1/2 cup ice cubes, optional
Ingredient Options: Substitute rice or almond milk for the soy milk.
Combine all of the ingredients in a blender and whirl at top speed
for approximately one minute or until smooth. Pour into a glass and
enjoy. When making fruit smoothies, adding ice to the blender is a
matter of personal choice. If you are using frozen fruit in place of
fresh fruit you may elect to omit the ice.
Nutrition Info Per Serving (323g-wt.): 250 calories (45 from fat),
5g total fat, 0g saturated fat, 10g protein, 45g total carbohydrate
(8g dietary fiber, 27g sugar), 0mg cholesterol, 55mg sodium
All Natural Pear Bundt Cake
Courtesy of
www.wholefoodsmarket.com
Dairy-Free, Vegaetarian
Serves 12

1/4 cup unsweetened organic applesauce 1/4 cup
high heat, expeller pressed sunflower oil or expeller pressed canola
oil 3/4 cup natural brown sugar, packed
2 organic eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup unbleached organic white flour
1 cup organic whole wheat pastry flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon nutmeg
3 small to medium organic Bartlett pears, cored
and chopped (leave peeling on)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
1/3 cup organic raisins
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Spray a 2-quart bundt pan with canola oil cooking
spray and set aside.
Whisk together the applesauce, oil and brown
sugar, blending completely. Add eggs, one at a time, whisking well
after each addition. Add vanilla.
Sift together both flours, baking soda, salt,
cinnamon and nutmeg and gradually add to liquid ingredients,
blending completely. The batter will be thick and slightly sticky.
Stir in pears, nuts and raisins.
Spoon the batter into the prepared pan. Bake the
cake for 60 to 70 minutes or until done when tested with a
toothpick. Cool the cake in the pan for 10 minutes before turning
out onto a wire rack to continue cooling.
Nutrition Info Per serving (3.5 oz/94g-wt.): 240
calories (80 from fat), 9g total fat, 1g saturated fat, 5g protein,
37g total carbohydrate (3g dietary fiber, 19g sugar), 30mg
cholesterol, 320mg sodium
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The Color of Health
Courtesy of
www.wholefoodsmarket.com
Today we know that what we eat influences our health over time and
so science is interested in what is the best diet for maintaining
health through all the stages of life. It turns out that
antioxidants in ordinary vegetables and fruit, which were not
considered essential for an adequate diet, are an important part of
an optimal diet. Their effect on our long-term health is cumulative,
helping to protects us from the ravages of time and our own
metabolism.
What kinds of things to antioxidants do? In short, antioxidants may
protect against chronic diseases. Studies show that a higher intake
of antioxidants can:
Keep the immune system healthy
Support healthy blood sugar levels
Protect against oxidation reactions thought to be responsible for
aging
Keep the brain functioning optimally Promote healthy inflammatory
reactions Support heart health
While deeply colored foods typically have high levels of
antioxidants, they are also present in foods that are not highly
pigmented - herbs, spices and vegetables from the onion family are
examples. And you don't have to eat huge portions. Culinary herbs
are a concentrated source of antioxidants. In one study, about 3
grams (or about 3 sprigs) of fresh herbs used per portion of salad
was enough to make a difference.
Here is a list of foods with impressive levels of antioxidants:
Fruits and vegetables
Berries
Cherries
Pomegranates
Plums
Grapes
Apples
Beets
Tomatoes
Mangos
Figs
Persimmons
Winter squash, sweet potatoes, carrots Eggplant
Onions, garlic, leeks, shallots
Citrus, including the peel
Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage
Spinach, kale, collards
Mushrooms
Beans (legumes)
black beans
pinto beans
kidney beans
black lentils
Grains
blue corn
purple rice
red quinoa
Unrefined oils
olive oil
red palm oil
sesame oil
Herbs and Spices
turmeric
ginger
cinnamon
cloves
rosemary
oregano
thyme
mint
cardamom
chili
fennel
greens
lemon balm
hibiscus
Wine vinegars
Honey
Beverages
herbal and green tea
fruit juices
wine
Chocolate
Wild Salmon
Nuts
walnuts
pecans
chestnuts
Simple ways to maximize your antioxidant intake:
Keep some fresh herbs on hand (or grow them yourself) and use
wherever possible: fresh herbs in salads, mint in yogurt, chopped
cilantro in soups, a couple leaves of basil or oregano on a
sandwich. As well as adding special flavor, this is one of the
simplest ways to increase the antioxidant content of your diet.
Season your foods with dried herbs and spices. Remember that a small
teaspoon of flavor also adds nutritional benefits. Experiment and
have fun! And what could be easier?
Fruits and vegetables do not have to be fresh in order to obtain the
benefits from their antioxidants: dried and frozen fruits and
veggies, fruit and vegetable juices, and fruit jams all count. These
options also give you the benefits of certain fruits and veggies all
year round.
Some antioxidants actually increase in potency when cooked for
extended periods of time. These include the lycopene found in
tomatoes and beta carotene in carrots and winter squash. Imagine the
scent of tomato sauce simmered for hours on a stovetop or the
vibrant color of baked winter squash.
If edible, eat the peels of organic fruit, such as apples, which
often contain high quantities of antioxidants.
Ripe fruits — in particular berries — contain higher quantities of
antioxidants than fruits that are not ripe. Again, follow your taste
buds to choose foods highest in antioxidants.
Buy or make your own pesto. Basil pesto is a traditional favorite,
but also try cilantro, parsley, arugula, mint or mixtures of the
above. Use as a spread for bread, on sandwiches or on pasta.
Experiment with salsas and sauces. Think spicy and colorful-tomato
salsa, mango salsa and chili sauce all pack an antioxidant punch and
is perfect for snacking. In general, turn to spicy, ethnic foods for
added antioxidant benefit.
Use honey as a sweetener. Studies have shown that people who eat
honey on a daily basis have increased levels of antioxidants in the
body. Antioxidant activity of honey is variable, dependent on flower
source, In general, look for color. Darker varieties, like buckwheat
honey, contain more antioxidants.
Drink herbal tea. Warm or iced, herbal teas are a pleasurable way to
add to your daily antioxidant intake. For an added antioxidant
bonus, add a little honey or a splash of juice. A reminder to not
overlook the health benefits of non-caloric beverages.
At restaurants, order the most colorful plate possible. Here is your
chance to taste and see how an expert mixes colors and flavors. Use
these ideas for examples in your own home. If you feel comfortable,
eat the garnish.
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