Adventures with Michelle, Healthy Mixers

OK, I confess,….I have been busy. And for some reason, it seems, everything takes longer this year. I had my sister visit while she was ‘between residences’. It was supposed to only be a week or 2 tops. OK,…2 months later, we were all going nuts. Not that she’s not a good house guest, because she really is. It’s just, well, you know. Just this week, I had the car in for service. A recall on an airbag assembly, no big deal ? – no. They gave me my usual service loaner and sent me on my way,…2 days later. Of course by then I didn’t want to give it back. It was kinda nice,…see. 
 
Q50
 
Since I had the fancy schmancy car, I was still milling around the bay area. While out in Tampa-land, I stopped by The Fresh Market for a very particular purchase. We only have one in our area and it’s in Carrollwood, if I’m even close I make sure to beat a path to it’s door. I love that place. A small, up- scale, grocery store. I can’t call it a supermarket – it’s like a convenience store for rich people!  Valrhona chocolate? Yes. Super beautiful, mostly organic, produce….yesssss. Don’t get me started on the meat department ! W O W ! OK, I digress. I went there because I got word that Coca-Cola had a new version that they were testing. Some time ago they got wind that Americans drink too damn much of the stuff and they’re literally killing their market. Time to change things up a bit, but maybe not nationwide just yet. Since they’re based out of Atlanta, the natural choice is to use us Southerners as guinea pigs, to do that they chose The Fresh Market to distribute this new concoction.  Coke ‘Life’ is just like regular Coke, only sweetened with a combination of regular sugar cane and stevia. Hmmm, just enough to shave the calorie count down a bit and still taste like, well, like Coke. I had to try it. Besides, that new car smell was making me giddy.
 

Healthy Mixers:

 

Coke Life

 
bottles
 
This tastes a lot like if you mixed regular Coke and a little Diet Coke, only without the aftertaste. I tried it warm for the full effect – it has a slightly molasses flavor – which lends itself really well to a nice spiced rum. A shot of Mount Gay, if you please !
 
coke life
 
Looks like Coke, fizzes like Coke – I like it. Of course, I’m a sucker for those cute little bottles! I’m honestly just glad they’re trying new options, because sugar and stevia make my list…Splenda, and Nutrasweet,…not so much.
 

Fever-Tree

 
Fevertree
While we’re on the subject of health mixers, I picked up a pack to replenish my stash of another little treat. Fever Tree Tonic. it’s naturally lower in calorie and tastes GREAT! I mean, really, if you’re going to the expense of Grey Goose Vodka, or a Hendricks Gin then please use a mixers that does it proud. You’ve already decided not to do it ‘half-assed’, then use a mixer that’s befitting. This tonic is from the UK – the land of the perfect gin and tonic and is really worth the price. So good, I’d drink it alone. (without vodka,…not without friends, naturally!)
 
I of course, will never get malaria, with the amount of quinine I’ve consumed over the years !
 
So, I’m back ….
 
Michelle @ badzoot.com

Cabbage Soup Diet : really, cabbage? – ugh

Last week or so, I mentioned that I’d gone to the local farmers market and one of the things I brought back was an enormous cabbage. Now, you know I had to do something with it. One evening we made fish tacos, which require coleslaw – yum. But that doesn’t take much. I had previously considered stuffed cabbage, but that head was bigger than MY head – and not as many tender leaves. So, I took the biggest knife I had and cleaved it in half. Still gigantic! I called my Mom and she said she’d love to have half. I’d told her of the coleslaw I had planned and that I might add it to a soup. She said, “Oh, cabbage soup is really pretty good.”

Wait isn’t there a ‘Cabbage Soup Diet’? Google it! Why yes, there is. As I read through the recipe, I thought, “Heck, this is just a veggie soup – nothing special here.” By nothing special means, nothing ‘diet’ about it, so the guys might even eat it. (NOT !) Ok, I’m game. I drug out my biggest pot, an armload of veggies and set to work.

This came together so fast and smelled so good – I highly advise trying this. Even if you aren’t on a diet, it’s just good and healthy.

What to do with that huge cabbage !
What to do with that huge cabbage !

Cabbage Soup: You’re gonna be healthy or else!

Step 1:

1/2 Head of Cabbage, chopped

2 Yellow Onions, chopped

2 – 3 Garlic cloves, chopped

2 Green Peppers, chopped

2 cans Diced Tomatoes, chopped

3 Medium Carrots, chopped

1 – 10oz container of Mushrooms, chopped

3 or 4 long stalks of Celery, chopped

1 – 48oz Can or jug of V-8 Low Sodium juice* (or veggie broth)

and the seasonings listed below

Step 2
Step 2

Step 2:

Chop the onions, celery, carrot, garlic and sweat them in the soup pot. No, you won’t need oil, these veggies will have plenty of juice in them as it is. After they’ve had their head start, add the tomatoes, and V-8 (or broth).

 

Step 3
Step 3

Step 3:

Toss in that cabbage and mushrooms. I used two different kinds, white buttons, and baby bellas, since I had them from another recipe. I like Baby Bellas because the give a meaty flavor to things. So I used half and half. (Yes, I know we just lost Terry – he hates ‘shrooms)

 

Step 4
Step 4

Step 4:

Add the seasonings. When I looked up the recipe I saw a slew of tasteless diet versions. Then there was a lady touting her own blend of spices for it. Hmmm. What could it be? Well, I can’t wait to order it, and I know that somewhere they have to post the fine print. I looked it over and came up with this…

FW10098:14:9CabbageSoupStep 4a

Seasonings:

½ tsp Garlic Salt

¼ tsp Onion Powder

1/8 tsp Tomato Flakes (or minced sundried’s)

½ tsp Paprika

1/8 tsp (or a pinch) Cayenne Pepper

2 tsp Nutritional Yeast 

OK, ‘nutritional yeast’? Well, the pre-packaged mix listed ‘yeast extract’. Which is Vegimite or Marmite. Neither of which I’ll find locally, at least I don’t think so. We don’t have a big enough Australian contingency here to warrant ‘Vegimite Sandwiches’ being on any menus. However, I do have nutritional yeast here. It’s like vegan fairy dust. It’s hard to describe, but it makes things taste ‘cheesy’ – which is never a bad thing. It’s cheap and easy to find at any health food store. Go get some.

Double, double toil and trouble  Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
Double, double toil and trouble
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.

Step 5:

There is no step 5 ! You’re pretty much done. – Cover it and let that cauldron simmer for a couple hours on low. Don’t add salt to it. We’re going for low salt, diet friendly eats here. If you have ‘Spike’ seasoning (a no-salt veggie alternative) add it to your bowl as needed.

 FW10098:14:9CabbageSoupFreezer

Let it cool, ladle into containers. Set a couple in the fridge, and stock the rest in the freezer for later.

 

 

 

Forget that Lean Cuisine, add a salad and some saltines – not Fritos! – and this is so low cal and healthy I can’t even calculate it !

Spicy, healthy - yummy
Spicy, healthy – yummy

[yumprint-recipe id=’13’]

CPK Salad : What to do with that quinoa

Last week or so I posted a little ditty about quinoa, what it is and how to cook it, etc. One thing most people do with it is to add it to a salad. One of my all-time favorite salads is at the California Pizza Kitchen. Called ‘Quinoa & Arugula Salad’, it’s just as advertised,…only better. This is a light tasting salad with enough protein punch to carry you for hours. Since I’ve mastered the quinoa,…let’s make some.

 

CPK Salad; copycat

Step 1
Step 1

Step 1

Gather some quinoa to cook up, and asparagus to steam. 

Really good when you do it right.
Really good when you do it right.

Check that post from last week on making that quinoa!

Step 2
Step 2

Step 2

Clean up that asparagus. Bend the end of one until it snaps, then use it to measure where to cut the rest in one whack.

Step 3
Step 3 : ready for steaming

Step 3:

Steam the asparagus. I used a steamer on the stove , but you can use the microwave. To be honest, I let mine cook too long – busy taking photos! Unless you shock them in ice water while they’re cooked, but crunchy, there will be ‘carry-over’. That means mushy veggies. Don’t do it ! Respect the ‘grass.  

Step 4
Step 4

Step 4:

The Dressing. 

CPK serves theirs with a champagne vinaigrette. Most online recipes have a slightly different variety, but I’m going full blown copycat here. I love this salad! Why are they so far away !? (the closest CPK is more than an hour drive for me)

My Champagne Vinaigrette:

3 Tbl Champagne Vinegar

1/2 Tbl Dijon Mustard

1/4 tsp Oregano, dried

3 Tbl Olive Oil (the good stuff! – I even used a Meyer Lemon infused version )

1/8 tsp Pressed Garlic (like the tiniest clove from the inside-smashed)

2 or 3 dashes of Hot Sauce

1 1/2 tsp Honey or agave

Get it together and whisk to combine. The mustard will help emulsify the mixture.

The Salad:

OK, so as a salad, it’s a make as you like deal…but here’s what I did.

On a big plate of arugula mix (I love those baby green mixes), drizzle with some of the dressing and toss. Then sprinkle on about a 1/4 cup of cooked quinoa, 1/3-1/2 cup steamed asparagus, 4 or 5 pieces of sun dried tomato, chopped, a sprinkling of feta cheese AND some red onion*.

* Note: How to calm down an onion. Ever get those salads and the onion could take your head off? Yeah, me too. Well, at CPK they don’t – why? Are they pickled? No,…it’s a head-slappingly simple trick. Slice the onion thin first, let it float in a little ice water while you put together the rest of the salad. Ta-da! Onion taste that won’t leave you with ‘onion breath’.

CPK Salad - copycat
CPK Salad – copycat

That’s it – my CPK Salad – enjoy!   

 

[yumprint-recipe id=’12’]