How-To Cut a Pineapple Video (and a quick dinner)

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Pineapple.sweet.yellow.tart.awesome.loveIMG_5487

Ok, so pineapple is not very local in Illinois.  There I’ve said it!  I have a goal in my mind of wanting to eat local, organic, veggies, everyday BUT somedays I end up eating something that is grown a million miles away.  I’m still trying to reconcile the veganomics of the food I eat.  

How to Cut up a pineapple

I love pineapple but they are sort of a sticky mess to cut up.  I could buy one precut but then I start to think about all the things that could have touched my pineapple . . . then I get grossed out.  So I buy a whole one and cut it myself.  

My family runs hot and cold on food {does your family like something one day an not the next?}–one day it will be the favorite food and the next time I make it . . . not so much.  We buy about 1 or 2 pineapples a month–my kids go “on” and “off” fruits and veggies, so I always ask before I buy one.  This saves me from being crabby about what they will or won’t eat.  (although now that I have a juicer, I’m way less crabby because I know I can juice the “off” food.)

The How-to Cut up a Pineapple Video!

In this video I cut a pineapple AND show you how I make a very quick meal of rice, broccoli, store-bought chicken meatballs and of course pineapple!  This entire meal is ready to go in the time it takes for the rice cooker to finish.  It would take even less time if you had the pineapple cut up ahead of time and prepped the broccoli.  

[Tweet “I learned something new today @ Renee’s Kitchen! I’m going to be a rock star in my kitchen!”]

Vegan Tip:  leave out the chicken meatballs and add black beans.

Pineapple is also on the Clean 15 list--go check it out!

pineapple is a symbol of hospitality

pineapple is a symbol of hospitality

Be Blessed.

L.O.V.E.,

Renee

 

Amazing Red Sauce

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Pasta with red sauce is an iconic kid meal.  It is also comfort food for many adults.  Did you ever notice how comfort food is often kid food too?  Did you know that some red sauce is called gravy?  That one was new to me!  For me gravy is for potatoes and stuffing!  {oops, I started to ramble . . . }

I make several red sauces depending on what I have in the house and what is in season.  Typically, I buy organic red sauce and add onions, garlic, and peppers.  But often I put a combination of  leeks, mushrooms, celery, spinach, kale and carrots . . . clearly I use what I have on hand.

My family loves meatballs!  So occasionally I will make meatballs to go with the red sauce.  I cook them separately so the red sauce will still be vegan but my meat eaters can have the meatballs.  Another favorite is sausage ravioli or chicken tortellini.   

[yumprint-recipe id=’5′]This is a great basic recipe.  I have found a organic red sauce that is the same price as non-organic.  SCORE.  Why organic?  Check out the Fun Food Fact Friday on the dirty dozen and the clean green food lists to find out how I decide what to buy organic.  

This recipe is doubled so that I can freeze one batch–I love the idea of cooking once and having 2 meals!

Want to watch a red sauce video?  I made this video to show you just how simple and FAST it is to make a great red sauce with loads of veggies!

Be Blessed.

L.O.V.E.,

Renee