Friday, April 26, 2013

Heart Healthy Recipes

Last Tuesday we hosted a Healthy Cooking class focused on Heart Healthy Dishes.  Recipes included Bean Tacos, Vegetarian Chili, and Banana-Oat cookies.  We discussed the importance of fiber in reducing cholesterol (and appetite), how to create complete proteins without eating meat, and why dessert ISN'T a bad thing!

Four types of protein: grains, beans/legumes, vegetables, and nuts. Proteins don't always have to come from meat, which is good if you don't eat meat. There are plenty of ways to eat healthy, while still consuming the amount of proteins your body requires.

Easy way to make vegetable stock*: veggie scraps, water, seasoning. Add the vegetable scraps to a pot that is large enough to hold both vegetables and water. Add the seasoning to the mix of vegetables (parsley, thyme, and rosemary stems are good additions for this recipe). Pour water into the pot. There should be enough water to completely submerge the vegetables. Turn the stove to a high temperature, and let the vegetables simmer (if you keep the heat on for longer than an hour, the vegetables start to turn mushy and lose their flavor). When the hour is up, strain the vegetables through a strainer, and then you have your vegetable stock!

Thank you to Renee, from the Art Institute of Wisconsin for her engaging and informative presentation!


Final preparations before class begins

Chili simmering in foreground while
peppers sizzle for bean tacos in background
Serving Bean Tacos

Discussing four categories of plant-based protein


*The recipe for vegetable stock was provided by allrecipes.com



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