Tag: delicious

Good Food Is a Key Ingredient for a Great Wedding

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Heart Health & Magnesium

Good food is a key ingredient for a great wedding or any event for that matter. After all, a happy stomach brings lots of pleasure and good times. As a dietitian, healthy, delicious food prepared in a clean environment where sanitary food preparation procedures are maintained is critical. Just as critical is ensuring that there are no issues for those with food allergies, sensitivities, and preferences.

The Stanley

The Stanley enjoyed a good reputation in years past, and when we stayed there years ago, they lived up to that reputation. However, you can imagine my horror when last summer the news reported that they failed more than one health inspection. With plenty of time before the wedding, I arranged a meeting with my newly assigned wedding planner to discuss my concerns. And yes, I attended the meeting with a rather long list.

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The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado

The wedding planner put me at ease when she revealed that:

  • the chef was let go,a new 5 star
  • chef was brought in,they revamped the program to as
  • sure compliance, andthey passed subsequent inspections
  • with flying colors.

All good news, however, with the exception of a buried blurb, the news did not find that newsworthy enough to give it the same exposure. I love good news, don’t you?

The Menu

For those receptions held at a hotel, conference center, restaurant or another similar venue, you are given limited menu options based on the plan you choose. As the number of selections increase, so does the cost. However, you have the opportunity to tailor the menu to your budget.

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Food Restrictions

Quite a few of my guests had either food allergies or other dietary restrictions and it was important to me that there would be no issues. I provided a list of food allergies and other restrictions and was assured there would be no problems. Although a vegetarian entree was not an option on the “menu” for my vegetarian guests, it was upon request.

Wedding Day
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Head Table
Photo – Courtesy of Laura Grace Photography

As we decorated the Music Room on the morning of the wedding day, the chef made a point to meet with me. He went over the list of allergies and other food restrictions and assured me there would be no issue with cross contamination (a common problem with peanut and shellfish allergies). He was true to his word and the meal was delicious.

Our guests had a happy stomach and used that delicious meal as fuel to dance the night away… I’m sure the wine didn’t hurt either… .

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The Dance Train – Courtesy of Laura Grace Photography

Any dining out suggestions for those with dietary restrictions?

(c) 2018, Karen Van Den Heuvel

Gluten Free – Turkey & Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash

dining, Highlands, North Carolina, Recipe
Dining Delight

Whether you have a gluten sensitivity or not, this recipe is a gluten free keeper — Turkey and Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash. A good friend of mine shared this tasty, low fat, nutrient rich meal that’s sure to leave you feeling satisfied.

acorn squash, recipe, gluten free, Turkey & Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash
Acorn Squash – Delicious Stuffed

This recipe serves 8 so feel free to double it or cut it in half.

Ingredients:
  • 4 medium acorn squash, halved and seeded
  • 8 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • Kosher or fine sea salt, to taste (I typically cook without the added salt)
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 2 medium sweet apples, such as Pink Lady or Gala, peeled, cored, and
    Gluten Free, Recipe, Turkey & Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash
    Apples for Your Gluten Free Recipe – Turkey & Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash

    diced

  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 medium celery stalks, diced
  • 1/2 pound mushrooms, chopped
  • 4 medium garlic cloves, minced or finely grated
  • 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
  • 3/4 cup blanched almond flour
  • 3 large egg whites, lightly beaten
Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Place the squash halves cut sides up on the baking sheets. Brush with 4 tablespoons of olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake 45-55 minutes, until tender when pierced with fork (and when top edges are nicely browned).

mushrooms, recipe, Turkey & Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash
Mushrooms

In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the turkey. Cook, breaking up with wooden utensil, until cooked through and no longer pink. Transfer to a large bowl. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil to the pan. Add apples, onion, celery, and mushrooms. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-6 minutes. Add garlic and poultry seasoning and stir 1-2 minutes. Transfer the mixture to the bowl with turkey. Stir to combine, then taste and season with salt and pepper, if desired. Stir in almond flour and egg whites.

When squash halves finish roasting, pile stuffing evenly into the halves. Return to the oven for 15 minutes. Serve warm.

Squash is a nutrient rich food we should all indulge in when we can. Do you have a good squash recipe to share? How about a gluten free one? Check out my Sweet & Sour Chicken — another gluten free keeper.

The Ultimate 5 Week Bran Muffins

5 Week Bran Muffin, Fresh Fruit
The Ultimate 5 Week Bran Muffins

The Ultimate 5 Week Bran Muffins are not only delicious, but they are healthy as well. Food does not have to be high in fat, salt, and sugar to be scrumptious. With the summer months upon us and the farmer’s markets at their best, we can take advantage of the succulent fruit rich in vitamins and minerals that are available to us. Most will do for this easy, flavorful, healthy muffin that can be eaten for breakfast or dessert as a healthy alternative. The particular muffins shown in these photos have Georgia peaches, blueberries, bananas, apples and walnuts. You can use whatever fresh fruit you enjoy and is available (or a combination).

Ingredients:

5 Week Bran Muffins, bananas, blueberries, walnuts, peaches, apples
5 Week Bran Muffins — Perfect for Breakfast or Dessert.Ingredients
  • 1 (15 oz.) box Raisin Bran
  • 1 cup of sugar
  • 1 1/2 cup granulated Splenda (if you do not wish to use Splenda, increase the sugar for a total of 2 1/2 cups)
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole wheat graham flour
  • 5 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, apple pie spice, or pumpkin pie spice
  • 4 beaten eggs
  • 1 cup canola or vegetable oil
  • 1 quart buttermilk

Directions

  1. Mix all the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
  2. Add beaten eggs, oil, and buttermilk to the well mixed dry ingredients.
  3. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Tip: I generally use a 3 cup cereal bowl to make a batch at a time.

Farmer's Market, Fresh Fruit
Farmer’s Market – Fruit

Fruit

To this batter, you may add approximately 1/2 cup of your favorite diced fruit — fresh (or frozen) like peaches, apples, mashed ripe bananas, and blueberries. Walnuts make a delicious and healthy addition.

 

Baking

  • Fill greased muffin tins 2/3 of the way or bake in muffin baking paper cups.
  • Bake at 400 degrees for 15 – 20 minutes. If they get too brown bake at 375 for 25 minutes.

    Bran Muffins, Dessert, Breakfast, Party Snack
    Healthy & Delicious 5 Week Bran Muffins — Perfect as a Dessert, Breakfast, and Party Snack

You may use the entire batter to make the muffins all at once and freeze some for later (they freeze beautifully), or make what you want to eat that day and refrigerate the batter for the next time you want a warm muffin fresh out of the oven. The batter should last up to approximately 5 weeks in the refrigerator.

The Ultimate 5 Week Bran Muffins have been a favorite of ours. It packs a healthy, tasty punch few could deny.