It’s time to share more recipes in celebration of my 60th birthday month! 

But first, I wanted to share an “Aha” with you.  This came up in conversation recently.  That’s my sign it is time to share it publicly.

Over the years, the Food IS Talking Intuitive Food Compatibility process has evolved as new information has revealed itself through these individualized food charts.

One such reveal occurred a couple of years ago.   I realized that not only do we have a “base line” compatibility (foods that are compatible consistently); we also have an optimum eating style that stays fairly constant unless something drastic happens like –

• Our sleeping cycle completely changes over a long period of time (for instance – working nights instead of days).
• Our nutritional needs change drastically due to illness, surgery or long term stress.
• We make a major shift in diet (like a decision to go from eating meat to veganism)

Is breakfast really the most important meal of the day? It’s been drilled into our heads all our life!  The first meal of the day may be labeled breakfast if you are an early riser.  It may be labeled lunch if you are like me – a night owl.  My first meal is hardly ever before noon.  Your optimum eating style best supports your lifestyle.

Most people fit into 1 of 4 eating styles:

1. 3 squares a day (breakfast, lunch & dinner). No snacks
2. Intermittent fasting (calorie rotation; low 1 day/high the next)
3. 16 hour daily fast (eat for 8 hours only/fast for 16 within a 24 hour period).
4. Grazing (eat 5 or 6 small meals a day)

I am a combination of 2 and 3. I noticed this has happened naturally. I’ve never been a breakfast person. Now I know why – I’m a night owl:)

Okay, onto the delicious part.  The following recipes have been the most popular with my cooking classes.  Super hearty and satisfying.   Perfect for the meat eater transitioning to a more plant-based diet.  My dad often says, “Gail, I don’t know how you do it.  I never miss the meat!”  There is a good reason people call me “The Plant-Based Chef for Meat Lovers & Vegetable Haters”

A dry white wine or one my favorite light reds, Tortoise creek French Pinot Noir is the perfect companion to the herbal and savory tones of this dish.  Hope you enjoy!  If you have any questions, you can contact me here: https://www.foodrevelation.com/contact/

Tuscan White Bean & Sage Ragout
On Top ofHerb & Pepper Crusted Polenta

(With Vegan Version) Serves 6-8

 

Polenta Ingredients and Method 

3 tablespoons butter (olive oil for vegan version)

3-4 garlic cloves, crushed and minced

1 teaspoon fresh chopped rosemary (reserve ½ teaspoon)*

3 cups water

3 cups + unsweetened plant based milk (I like So Delicious Coconut Milk Beverage for this)

1 teaspoon sea salt

2 cups polenta (course ground corn meal – not quick cooking)

1 teaspoon coarse ground cracked pepper

olive oil to prepare pan

Melt butter over medium high in a large stainless pan.  Add garlic and ½ teaspoon of the chopped rosemary.  Sauté for about 30 seconds or until fragrant.

Add water, milk and salt.  Bring to simmer and slowly add polenta stirring constantly.  Reduce heat to low simmer and continue to whisk for about 10 minutes or until polenta is very thick and creamy.  Whisk in more milk if necessary.  It should be very thick, but pourable.

Coat 9 x 13 inch glass pan with a little olive oil.  Pour polenta evenly into pan and allow to cool before placing in refrigerator for a few hours or until completely set.  If in a hurry, place in freezer for about 20 minutes.

When ready to serve, slice polenta into 4 x 4 inch squares or use a 3 ½” diameter cookie cutter (I made hearts for Valentine’s DayJ).  A round wide mouth glass jar works too!  Sprinkle top of the polentas with fresh rosemary and cracked pepper.  Broil or grill for about 3 minutes or until tops are golden and starting to crisp.

Tuscan White Bean & Sage Ragout

2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon butter (optional – you can use all olive oil for vegan version)

1 small onion, diced

1 small sweet bell pepper (red, orange or yellow)

4 garlic cloves, minced

½ teaspoon dried thyme

2 tablespoon fresh minced sage (or another ½ teaspoon thyme if no fresh sage)

½ cup dry white wine (chardonnay is good)

1 small squash, cubed

1 small zucchini, cubed

2 cups fresh chopped Roma tomatoes

2 cups cooked cannellini beans, drained & rinsed (or any white bean)

2 teaspoon sweet white miso (optional)*

2 teaspoon fresh squeezed lemon juice

Sea salt and crack pepper to taste (TASTE FIRST!)

Heat a very large skillet or Dutch oven (iron is great!) over medium high.  Add olive oil and butter; swirl to coat skillet evenly.  Add onions with a fat pinch of salt and sauté for 3 minutes, and then add garlic.  Sauté another minute and stir in herbs.

Deglaze pan with white wine and simmer for just a minute before adding squash, tomatoes and beans.  Bring back to simmer and cook gently for 15 minutes or until squash is tender.   Turn off heat.

Add miso to a small fine mesh strainer and then place strainer in skillet to allow the broth to make contact with the miso.  Using a wooden spoon, dissolve miso into broth.  Add lemon juice and re-heat ragout gently while stirring to incorporate miso and lemon.  Taste before adding more salt.  Garnish with a sprig of thyme or sage leaves before serving.

*Miso is a great way to add a meaty-like richness to all your vegan soups, beans and stews.  I’ve found my meat lover friends don’t miss the meat when I use this method.  I use dark miso for dark dishes, such as black bean chili and light miso for lighter soups and beans.

This easy and satisfying recipe becomes is a staple dish at my house.  Wonderful served on top of polenta or as a hearty Italian stew with crusty bread and salad.

Here’s to your Joy, Peace, LOVE & Health!

Gail Blair/The Intuitive Chef

 

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Curious if a Food IS Talking Intuitive Food Compatibility
Session with The Intuitive Chef can help you?  Schedule a “No Charge” 15 minute exploratory session here: https://www.foodrevelation.com/schedule/

Gail’s “Intuitive Chef” journey began unfolding in 2009 as a plant-based chef.  foodrevelation.com, birthed in 2011 was the natural result of following her creative passion – recipe creation and cooking.

Shortly thereafter, she experienced a “spiritual awakening” and discovered her intuitive and spiritual gifts.  As a food and medical intuitive, she has helped hundreds all over the U.S. and Canada remember their God-given health and in-born intuition through private sessions, private and public cooking classes and workshops.

Many revelations have been revealed along the way.  Her latest book, “Quinoa Cookbook Journey” (see link below) is the first book in a series entitled “Evolution of FREE Health”. It provides a gentle and tasty glimpse into these revelations and the resulting experiences.  Being revealed next in this series is, “The 7 Missing Links to Abundant Health”.

Gail currently lives in a small town in North Texas with her furry friends Molly and Mo.  In addition to the joy of cooking and recipe creation, she finds great pleasure in long leisurely meals with family and friends, reading, writing; quiet walks in nature and sleeping under the stars.

https://www.foodrevelation.com/the-quinoa-cookbook/

For more about Intuitive Chef Gail – https://www.foodrevelation.com/about/