Puerto Rican Fish Stew (Bacalao)

So, this has been a good eating weekend. Leftovers should be about finished so let's make a lighter, healthier dish. I found this on for Sopa de Bacalao. If you try it, give us some feedback. Thank you to eatingwell.com.

Puerto Rican Fish Stew (Bacalao)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!!

Arroz con Gandules

My manager started dieting and exercising earlier this year and has lost 70 lbs. He made adjustments to his portions and how he cooks certain foods. One of the dishes he mentioned was cooking arroz con gandules with brown rice. I wondered how that would taste. I found this recipe on a blog called A Healthy Dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ¼ cup red onions (diced)
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1/3 cup sofrito
• Vegetarian bacon bits or 1/3-cup “bacon” tempeh (Optional. Traditionally ham or cooked pork pieces are used)
• 2 cups brown medium grain or white rice
• 4 cups water
• A pinch of saffron instead of the traditional packet of Sazón—I don’t like MSG.
• 12 ounces of fresh Pigeon Peas also known as Gandules; or one (1) 15-ounce can pigeon peas  (drained and rinsed)
• Salt and pepper to taste.

Instructions:

1. In a 6-quart pot, heat olive oil. Sauté the onions, garlic.
2. Sauté vegetarian “bacon” tempeh and set aside to add to rice at end.
3. Add the rice, water, sazón substitute, sofrito and gandules.
4. Bring to a boil for a few minutes.
5. Stir once. Cover lid and never open lid while cooking. Reduce heat to medium low. It cooks in 30 to 40 minutes.
6. When done, add vegetarian “bacon” (optional). Stir the rice to make it fluffy and serve.
Serves: 4 to 6 people.

Forgot the Latin Cuisine!

I forgot to find some info on healthier Latin recipes. So I found a nice article on medicinenet.com.

Here is the URL (http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=76870).

Keep me posted.

THANKSGIVING IS COMING!!

Thanksgiving is almost upon us. Everyone is planning either to cook or eat what someone else cooked.

If I had Thanksgiving at home, I would have Roast Pork (Pernil), Turkey (Pavo), Rice and Pigeon Peas (Arroz con Gandules), Potato Salad (Ensalada de Papa), and so on. I will be at my in-laws' house, though. They will cook delicious soul food. There will be Turkey, Roast Beef, Ham, Collard Greens, String Beans, Rice and Peas, Potato Salad, Macaroni and Tuna Salad, Corn Bread, and so on. And don't get me started on desserts!

I started thinking that there should be healthier recipes for these traditional ethnic meals just so we don't have to feel so guilty afterwards. Because, we are going to eat. You can't not eat on Thanksgiving. It's unAmerican!

Here is a link to one site that offered (9) healthy soul food recipes (http://www.delish.com/print-this/healthy-soul-food-opr0910?page=all). I think I will try one or two next time I decide to cook a grand meal. If you find one  you like, please send me your feedback.

It is my responsibility.

I am a Puerto Rican and my husband is African American. We have two wonderful children – a 17 year old son and a 6 year old daughter. By definition (with the exception of my daughter), we are obese.

We have all at one time or another been forced to question our health. That moment was at a recent pediatrician appointment. When I heard how much my son weighed and that my daughter had gained some weight, I was upset at what I had done. Maintaining a family’s health ends up, like it or not, being mom’s responsibility. A mother can make or break her family.

For Puerto Ricans and anyone, for that matter, with rich traditional ethnic foods, facing a health crisis can be challenging, confusing, and downright painful. How do I keep our traditional meals while maintaining optimum health?

Through this blog, I will open discussions, add recipes, articles, other websites and blogs that can be useful to those facing my dilemma. Extreme dieting is not the answer but slowly changing your lifestyle should be less shocking and more successful in the long run.

I welcome your suggestions and comments (and delicious meal ideas).