Orange and Fennel Chicken Bake

Orange and Fennel Chicken Bake

After returning from Sorrento Italy, this meal seems appropriate to share. Amongst all the rows of lemon trees, which the region is famous for, there is always a spattering of orange trees and the few oranges we did try while there, definitely rivaled the best that Florida might have to offer. In addition to oranges, it seemed as if fennel was a local specialty since every vegetable plate we ordered had fennel on it and they even make a liquor out of fennel, which unfortunately I never got around to trying.  Needless to say, when I came home and was going through old recipe drafts that I haven't yet posted, this combination of ingredients caught my eye.  It was the first chicken foil packet I ever attempted, and the inspiration for a lot of other varieties to follow because it came out so well.  The chicken is moist and tender, and the oranges and fennel cook down and become a delicious sauce that is perfect to drizzle over rice, couscous, or pasta (al dente, of course!)

Thai Sweet Potato Stew

Thai Sweet Potato Stew

It is definitely early Spring here in Pennsylvania, in the sense that it is pouring rain and cold outside. So although the birds are chirping and the sun (when it's showing) is higher in the sky, there is still snow on the ground and a chill in the air.  So why not warm up the house, and your soul, with this incredible sweet potato stew.  I saw a recipe like this in a magazine at my mom's house a few months ago, so I cut it out, rewrote it, changed a few things, and came up with this amazing masterpiece.  I honestly think it is one of my favorite dinners ever and I am so glad that I still have a large container of it waiting in the freezer for me to heat up later today. The ingredient list literally reads like a "top ten best foods" compilation and although the stew is relatively high in fat with both the coconut milk and peanut butter, it is the type that your body and your brain crave, so it leaves you satisfied, fulfilled and content with the knowledge that you just refueled your most precious resource with something delicious.

Walnut Brownie Cookies

Walnut Brownie Cookies

I have definitely found my favorite dessert.  If you are like me and love dark chocolate, and like it to be extra dense, rich and fudgy, then these treats are for you.  And if you look at the ingredient list, you can easily see another reason why they are my favorite: they are a big bite of health disguised as a cookie.  The main ingredient is raw walnuts, sweetened with raw honey, coconut oil and cocoa powder.  Walnuts are honestly one of the healthiest foods on the planet and an everyday staple in my kitchen.  They are full of "rare and powerful antioxidants" and are proven to promote heart health and reduce cancer risk.* You do need a food processor to make these from scratch, but I am sure you could use a store bought walnut butter if you had to. I promise that if you try these cookies just once, you will be hooked and want to share the recipe with everyone you meet.

* http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/05/19/7-walnuts-benefits.aspx