Recipes

Sweet Potato Shepherd Pie

Because it’s tasty, hearty and nutritious, this is a regular fall dinner at our house. It can be made a day or two early for those busy weeknights.

Variations:

  • Use only with sweet potatoes or only with butternut squash.
  • Use ground turkey, beef or bison instead of turkey sausage
  • Make it spicy, adding a chopped jalapeño or two
  • Give it a Southwest twist When preparing the sausage filling, add 1 teaspoon chili 1 teaspoon paprika 1 1/2 cup corn kernels (I used defrosted frozen corn) Instead of bell pepper, use a poblano pepper
  • Make it vegan by using cooked lentils instead of turkey sausage.

It’s a great way to use leftover Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Puree after Thanksgiving. Layer it over the leftover Wild Rice, Turkey Sausage and Leek Stuffing.  If no stuffing is left, make the filling with leftover turkey instead of turkey sausage.

Serve it with Kale, Apple and Cranberry Salad with Pumpkin Seeds

Nutrient-Rich Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Red Bell Pepper

Sweet potatoes are far more nutrient rich and have less calories than white potatoes; one medium spud containes 400% of daily requirment for vitamin A, is rich in vitamins B6 and C, potassium, fiber and beta-carotene.

[su_expanding_quote_web source_site=”Medical News Today” source_url=”http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/281438.php” right_quote=”Consuming foods rich in beta-carotene may reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer, offer protection against asthma and heart disease and delay aging and body degeneration.” short_quote=”Consuming foods rich in beta-carotene may reduce the risk of cancer”]

These mashed potatoes with the additional superfoods red bell pepper and onion, make not only a delicious meal but also boosts our immune system.

Variations:

  • Use 2 leeks, washed well and thinly sliced, instead of onion and bell pepper
  • Instead of red bell pepper, use poblano pepper

Pumpkin Shrimp Curry

“Curry Powder has a number of valuable health benefits, including the prevention of cancer, protection against heart disease, reduces Alzheimer’s disease symptoms, eases pain and inflammation, boosts bone health, and increases the liver’s ability to remove toxins from the body.”

Facts about Curry Powder

Steamed Broccoli with Avocado and Sesame Seeds

Broccoli belongs to the cruciferous vegetable family. Named for their flowers, which have four equally spaced petals in the shape of a cross (Latin word crucifer means “cross-bearer”) these vegetables include kale, cabbage, collards and broccoli, cauliflower and turnips. I try to incorporate at least one cruciferous vegetable into our meals regularly.

[su_expanding_quote_book alignment=”right” source_author=”Joel Fuhrman, M.D. ” source_title=”Super Immunity” full_quote=”Cruciferous vegetables are twice as powerful as other plant foods. They have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-cancer benefits. Studies show that they detoxify and/or remove carcinogenic compounds. A 20% increase in cruciferous vegetables intake corresponds to a 40% decrease in cancer rates. ” short_quote=”Cruciferous vegetables are twice as powerful as other plant foods.”]

Sweet Potato and Zucchini Bread

This is quite popular in our house—either as muffins or a loaf of bread. I make a double recipe to freeze some for week days. Before freezing the bread loaf, I slice it and place pieces of parchment paper between the slices; making it easy to pull out a frozen slice and pop into the toaster.

Sweet potatoes pack a powerful nutritional punch. They have over 400% of your daily needs for vitamin A in one medium spud, as well as loads of fiber and potassium. More about sweet potatoes here.

I also like the high fiber content in these muffins (slices); high fiber breakfasts help promote regularity for a healthy digestive tract.