Here’s my first blog recipe. It’s a meal I created recently. It tasted very good and smelled like KFC gravy when it came off the burner.
Ingredients
- Coconut oil (I’m not sure how much, I used what was left in the jar. Maybe 3 tbsp)
- Some potatoes (I used four or five?¢‚Ǩ‚Äù2-3 large ones and the rest were small)
- 3/4 of a large onion
- Some meat (I used 1/2 lb of hamburger, but I bet chicken breast or shrimp would be even better)
- Some carrots (I used one honkin’ one, and one average sized one)
- Pepper
- Salt
- Cumin
- Water
- Milk
Directions
- Add enough coconut oil to cover the bottom of a large pot. Place the pot on medium heat.
- Cut the potatoes into small cubes (maybe 1.5 squared cm). Place them in the pot and cook them, stirring occasionally.
- Finely dice the onions. Do not mince them. Add them to the pot.
- Add the meat to the pot.
- Make sure you still stir frequently enough so nothing burns. It’s fine if there is some potato residue on the bottom of the pot. Just don’t let it burn, and try to scrape from time to time.
- Dice the carrots. Add them to the pot.
- Add enough water to cover the bottom of the pot in a couple of centimetres of water. Let sit for a few seconds and then stir so everything stuck to the bottom of the pot comes off.
- Add enough freshly ground pepper so you can see the top of the mixture moderately covered in black flakes.
- Sprinkle some salt over the top (Maybe 1/2 tbsp).
- Add a bunch of cumin. There should be a more abundant layer of cumin than there was pepper.
- Stir so everything is combined.
- Once stuff starts sticking again, add some milk. Add enough milk to add some texture, but not so much that it turns into stew.
- Let sit on low heat until the milk thickens.
- Serve in bowls or on plates. Buttered bread tastes good with this. I am sure shredded Havarti or grated Parmesan would taste great as well. So would garlic, but I had none with me.
Good for one Kim Siever meal or for 2-3 plates for 4 average eaters.
how did the rest of the family like it?
Mary didn’t have any because she’s vegetarian, but the children and I polished off the pot.
Have you tried it with an oil less deadly than the cardiac-arrest-inducing coconut oil? Maybe a nice monounsatured fat like olive oil?
I’m not too worried about it. Especially since I rarely cook with it. That being said, the verdict is still out on the effects of this oil on one’s health.
An oil that is high in saturated fats does not automatically mean it’s unhealthy. Saturated fat is important for proper health, and yes, a healthy heart. The main problem in unhealthy fat lies in the imbalance of fats, such as not enough of the omega 3’s and too much of omega 9s, etc. As well partially hydrogenated fats have created many more health concerns.
Coconut oil is one of the healthier oils and is best out of any, for cooking. For example, it has been tested numerous times for rancidity, after sitting at room temperature for extended periods of time and tests negative for even up to a year. There is a suggestion that the saturated oils in coconut oil actually have an antioxidative effect on the other, naturally occuring unsaturated fats.
“As far as the evidence goes, it suggests that coconut oil, added regularly to a balanced diet, lowers cholesterol to normal by promoting its conversion into pregnenolone.”
http://www.mercola.com/2001/mar/24/coconut_oil.htm
This is just one source, but there are many out there that show coconut oil is quite possibly the healthiest oil a person can consume.
There I go again, believing the medical info I read in the news. I wonder what they’ll say next week? Kind of amazing how fast the pendulum seems to swing on issues like this. We’re all scurrying around like rats in a maze trying to eat whatever they say is good for us, then finding out the position has been reversed.
ltbugaf
There is always updated research and that’s what happens. For years they told us that saturated fat was evil incarnate and then more research happens and we find out there is more to the picture. There will always be new information.
It stands to reason that the food Heavenly Father has created is good for us, when we eat it properly, in moderation and as intended. It is the foods that we alter, process and refine/change that are causing the most health problems these days.
“It is the foods that we alter, process and refine/change that are causing the most health problems these days.”
I don’t know about that, Mary.
I enjoy carrots, I’m pretty sure they’re good for me – and you’d be hard pressed to find a more ‘messed with’ veggie than the carrot.
Sure, Mary, but your statement contains a lot of assumptions about what is “food” and what is “proper” or “intended” eating of it. (When people try to reassure me that something is made of all-natural ingredients, I remind them that hemlock and uranium are natural ingredients.)
Olives are inedible until processed. I don’t think that means that God didn’t intend for us to eat them.
I’m also wondering what constitutes “processing.” Is cooking my meat “processing” it? What about washing my fruit?
(By the way, I’m perfectly happy that there is “always new information.” That’s a good thing. But it is frustrating to see how often the new information turns out to be, “What you’ve been doing to benefit your health has been killing you. Now do the opposite.” This is then followed by the same message some time later.)
Does it annoy you when my comments come in a series of short installments rather than one post?
yes
I don’t do it on purpose. I just write out a thought, and then have another one. But it does add up to a lot of posts. On the other hand, I having lots of posts is desired here, right?
For the record, olives are edible without processing. They’re simply very bitter “raw”. Not that they taste that great after being fermented or cured.
ltbugaf
It’s the overly processing of foods that can be a problem. The more additives, the less nutrients there are. Some foods are healthier cooked. But not all, for example. And yes there are certain herbs that are “edible” but not meant to be eaten. But they still have uses. Good uses as well. Hemlock (wood) is great for building. So though it’s plant is a poison, doesn’t mean it’s all bad or useless. I believe every plant, herb, food, tree, etc. has a use. Not necessarily to be eaten. We know pretty much the ones that can be eaten. But no one can tell me that a Twinkie is good food.
Mary, I agree with you. I just think it’s impossible to point with certainty to a particular thing and say, “that’s meant/not meant to be eaten” or to a particular amount of processing and say “that’s too much/just enough/too little processing” or “that’s too little/too much/just the right amount.”
By the way, Kim, I think the way you combined my comments 12-15 into one really undermined my lame attempt at humor. :)
“But no one can tell me that a Twinkie is good food.”
It tastes good.
ltbugaf
These days you can with certain things. Not everything of course, but there is a lot more detailed research and understanding.
Mary, our previous discussion goes against what you just said. A short while ago we were “certain” that coconut oil was the most unhealthful cooking oil available, and heavy criticism was leveled against movie theaters for using it on their popcorn. Now, based on new information, we’re apparently not so certain. Since, as you said, there is always new information coming along, I don’t see how you can be certain that a certain amount of food, a certain kind of food, a certain amount or kind of processing, is the right one. (On the other hand, I believe we CAN be sure of what the Lord wants us to do with certain substances–because we have the Word of Wisdom and a Prophet to interpret it.)
Right now all the evidence shows it is the healthiest oil to cook with. But we have enough information on nutrition to know what is good for us.
I do think the Lord expects us to not rely totally on the Prophets when it comes to nutrition. We have brains and common sense and there are experts in these fields as well. And I think common sense shows us what foods make us healthier.
For example, I know from personal experience that junk food, white flour, refined and overly processed foods are CRAP. They wreak havoc on most human bodies and are responsible for the modern day illnesses and conditions that are increasingly prevalvent in our western society. We don’t need the Prophet to tell us that, but many people continue to consume that type of food under the mistaken idea that they are nourishing their bodies. The Word of Wisdom doesn’t say that pop is bad for you, but common sense and research shows it is pretty useless calories. How I *feel* when I eat real food, compared to *fake* food shows this as well. When I eat fresh vegetables I don’t get headaches, when I eat foods with ingredients I can barely pronouce I do. I don’t have time to itemise these foods. It has taken lots of education and research to understand what is healthy and what is not. I’m not speaking just off the cuff here. This is where my education lies. But it’s up to us, individually to learn about nutrition ourselves, and to do our best to make sure the majority of our diet is made up of nutritious foods and not crap. Or we will pay the consequences.
Alcohol, tobacco, nicotine and recreational drugs are the basics. It’s interesting more people don’t pay attention to the *dos* in the Word of Wisdom. They are vitally important as well. In some ways even more important.
I should say right now much of the evidence shows coconut is the healthiest oil to cook with.
I agree with you again (except maybe the “all the evidence” part–I think it’s a little more up in the air than that). My only point is that there’s no such thing as certainty when it comes to what’s good for our bodies.
Oh, I was writing #23 before you put in #22, so I didn’t see it. :)
Well some things are more certain than others, that’s for sure. And we know our bodies need lots of nutrients in order to survive, in order to be healthy, and it stands to reason that the foods that SHOW these nutrients are for sure good for our bodies. I can also tell you that a type of food that is certainly healthier than any other food on the face of the planet for babies, is breastmilk. So there are certainties.
Oh and for me anyway, let’s see, oranges, blueberries, nuts…I could go on and on :) The evidence lies in good health. Our bodies will show it.
Mary, I thought maybe I should add a clarification to something I said earlier: I think it’s possible to be certain about what God wants me to do with certain substances, because those substances are spefically forbidden by the Word of Wisdom. I do need the Prophet to interpret the Word of Wisdom for me, because it’s only through those authorized interpretations that I understand the WoW’s status as a commandment, the definition of “hot drinks,” the definition of “hard drinks,” and so forth.
However, you’re right that we don’t (necessarily) need the Prophet to tell us what’s good for our bodies. In at least one way, that question is separate: The issue of what God commands me not to do is not the same as the issue of what is harmful to my body.
Hope that’s making sense.
ltbugaf
That’s true. Yes it makes sense.
I am sure you aren’t one of these members, but there are some members who think that as long as it isn’t forbidden in the W of W, it’s ok. But the only person they are hurting is themselves (by ruining their health). I personally wish that people who look at the other aspects of the Word of Wisdom and follow them as well. There is a lot to be learned about proper nutrition in there.
To be fair to “those members,” maybe they’re just talking about righteous vs. unrighteous, not intelligent vs. stupid or good idea vs. bad idea, when they say it’s “OK.”
maybe so. but still i wish people would take better care of their health. i really do. it saddens me when i see people shortening their lives by living in the now and not living life to the fullest by nourishing their bodies. Heavenly Father gave us these bodies to treat as temples. we don’t put cheap, fake furnishings in our temples, why do we do that with our bodies?
My temple is available for rent or lease, please call 1-888-555-3421
“I do need the Prophet to interpret the Word of Wisdom for me, because it’s only through those authorized interpretations that I understand the WoW’s status as a commandment, the definition of “hot drinks,†the definition of “hard drinks,†and so forth.”
Which brings up an interesting point: I wonder why the prophets have defined such things as what it means for fruit to be in season or what is meant by mild drinks made from barley.
Have they?
It sounds wonderful. It also sounds spicy and hot, which I love, but Bill rejects out of hand. He eats the mild salsa.
Is it?
I would use extra coconut oil and a fatty meat.
Sorry, that should have been: I wonder why the prophets have not defined…
annegb, it was spicy, but it wasn’t very hot.
Don’t you have to process a coconut to extract the oil? :)
overly processing I said. when food our processed to the hilt and when that’s all we consume? the body reacts, and not very nicely. it may take years, but it does happen.
rick
LOL
So, just to keep beating my dead horse, Mary, how much processing is “overly processing”?
It sounds like plov, the national dish of Uzbekistan.
let’s see, taking out nutrients, to refine, then adding them again, then using preservatives and artificial ingredients. let’s just say the more ingredients, especially unpronounceable they are, the worse it is. or food that is fake, barely recognisable from the real thing.
Wow. A national dish. Does Canada have one? I vote for poutine.
I vote for saskatoon pie.
Poutine? Saskatoon pie? I never would have guessed Canada has such wikipedia-inducing exotic food.
You never see serviceberries/saskatoon around here because it’s too much work to harvest.
I vote for saute of bald eagle.
:P
Or elephant stew.
Your unflagging determination to sneak in anti-American and anti-Republican digs is remarkable.
Thank you.
At least I always know where I can turn to have my country belittled.
Boy, some Americans can’t take teasing very well. You have to learn to laugh at yourselves, truly.
Besides that, how can Canadians be anti-Republican? We don’t have a Republican party in Canada.
Oh, and Americans NEVER belittle Canada or any other country for that matter.
As long as I continue to see Ann Coulter make idiotic remarks about Canada, I’ll feel justified in the occasional America-bashing.
…but that’s not what my comment was about.
My comment was a commentary on the tendency of Canadians to define themselves as ‘not American’, rather than as some set of qualities.
Additionally, I have no need to bash the Republicans .. they’re doing a fine job of sinking their own ship.