HEALTHY RECIPES (MEATLESS)

[ladypanther]

Jeremy...you need to try this.  I made it today..it is wonderful.

 

 

One Pot 30-Minute Pasta e Fagioli is a one pot pasta dish with pancetta, beans, and kale. It’s a hearty meal with minimal prep, and the whole family will love it!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 4 ounces uncooked pancetta or bacon, diced..I used portabella mushrooms
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes (use less to reduce the spiciness)
• 4 cups low sodium chicken broth....I used vegetable broth
• 8 ounces dry orecchiette pasta (or your favorite)...I used sea shell
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• (1) 14 ounce can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 bunch kale, torn, or about 3 cups
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, for serving

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and pancetta and saute for 5 minutes or until the onion has softened. Add the garlic and chili flakes and cook 30 seconds more.
2. Add the chicken broth and salt to the skillet, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the pasta and beans, and bring to a boil. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the pan, 11-13 minutes or until the orecchiette is al dente and has absorbed the majority of the liquid. When adding the orecchiette to the pot, try to separate them as best you can with a wooden spoon so that it will cook evenly.
3. When the pasta is almost done, add the kale and stir until incorporated. Remove the pot from heat, and add salt and pepper, to taste.

[SmokinwithWilly]

If you can afford it, use shiitake mushrooms instead of portobello. They are so much better, at least in my opinion. At 10 bucks a pound they're a little pricey. I'm going to try and grow my own. If I somehow manage, I will never eat meat again, at least until I run out. 

[imminent rogaine]

I love portabellas and so does my toddler. We have at least two dishes a week with them. The Kroger by us consistently has organic portabellas reduced to like $2.50 a pound. Even if you use meat, adding mushrooms is a great way to stretch your meat a little further and use less.

[Pejorative Miscreant]

Not sure about compatibility with this recipe(which looks great BTW) but if you are adventureous go to the local Chinese grocer and pick up some dried mushrooms and substitute or mix in.   Different flavor altogether but may not match everyone's taste.   

[ladypanther]

I will try the suggestions Willy and PM.

This dish also is very pretty on the plate.  The green kale really brightens it up (and tastes great).  Looks like a nice restaurant dish.

[The Huddler]

You couldnt take a pic if what it actually looked like? You made it today!!

[Paa Langfart]

21 hours ago, SmokinwithWilly said:

If you can afford it, use shiitake mushrooms instead of portobello. They are so much better, at least in my opinion. At 10 bucks a pound they're a little pricey. I'm going to try and grow my own. If I somehow manage, I will never eat meat again, at least until I run out. 

They are very easy to grow - I've been doing so for several years - I use plugs to start mine which is the simplest way for beginners.  I grow them on water oak and sweet gum logs - start the plugs in the spring and start harvesting shrooms in the fall.  I get too many to use them all fresh so I dry what I can't use - they rehydrate nicely for use in recipes.

 

A couple of years ago NCA & T  had a one day course that they gave at various extension service offices through out NC in order to get more folks to try commercial production - in it they showed us how to use the spawn by using a different method of introduction via a plunger.  A bit more complicated but the same principle and also actually a more economical way to start your logs if you have the equiptment.  

 

I buy most of my plugs from Fungi Perfecti but gave these guys plugs a try this past spring as they are a bit less pricey - I will see in the fall how they turned out

http://www.fieldforest.net/

 

[imminent rogaine]

12 minutes ago, Paa Langfart said:

They are very easy to grow - I've been doing so for several years - I use plugs to start mine which is the simplest way for beginners.  I grow them on water oak and sweet gum logs - start the plugs in the spring and start harvesting shrooms in the fall.  I get too many to use them all fresh so I dry what I can't use - they rehydrate nicely for use in recipes.

 

A couple of years ago NCA & T  had a one day course that they gave at various extension service offices through out NC in order to get more folks to try commercial production - in it they showed us how to use the spawn by using a different method of introduction via a plunger.  A bit more complicated but the same principle and also actually a more economical way to start your logs if you have the equiptment.  

 

I buy most of my plugs from Fungi Perfecti but gave these guys plugs a try this past spring as they are a bit less pricey - I will see in the fall how they turned out

http://www.fieldforest.net/

 

You grow Shitakes? That is awesome! Do you grow any other types?

I have like 10 sweet gum trees in my yard - some are easily over 100 ft tall. I took three down and got rid of the wood but am super intrigued by the idea of growing mushrooms.

I know a mushroom lady near me that forages chicken-of-the-woods off of oaks (?) in the area and chanterelles from wherever you find those. Foraging them kind of scares me but inoculating some logs in my backyard sounds awesome.

[Paa Langfart]

1 hour ago, imminent rogaine said:

You grow Shitakes? That is awesome! Do you grow any other types?

I have like 10 sweet gum trees in my yard - some are easily over 100 ft tall. I took three down and got rid of the wood but am super intrigued by the idea of growing mushrooms.

I know a mushroom lady near me that forages chicken-of-the-woods off of oaks (?) in the area and chanterelles from wherever you find those. Foraging them kind of scares me but inoculating some logs in my backyard sounds awesome.

I tried oyster mushrooms a few years back on oak logs and I did not get a crop.  Unknown to me at the time, the oysters don't like growing on oak - just found that out from looking at this page in the link I posted above

http://www.fieldforest.net/pdfs/Tree Species Chart.pdf

[imminent rogaine]

I'm going to check this out. Seems like a great idea . I love the idea of growing food but have limited sunlight on my property.

[Paa Langfart]

1 hour ago, imminent rogaine said:

. I love the idea of growing food but have limited sunlight on my property.

Perfect - you need to grow them in a shady spot.

[Inimicus]

I think of myself as Vegetarian by Proxy.

 

 

I try to only eat grass fed lamb and beef and free range chicken.

[ladypanther]

52 minutes ago, Inimicus said:

I think of myself as Vegetarian by Proxy.

 

 

I try to only eat grass fed lamb and beef and free range chicken.