Cod Veronique

This French recipe is traditionally made with sole (thin fillets) and heavy cream. However, I bought a ton of green grapes the other day so wanted to find a way to use some of them but wanted to make the sauce a little healthier...I also had no sole (ha ha!) so used cod instead....the photo doesn't do it justice but this dish tasted great!

Cod Veronique

Ingredients (Serves 4)
4 cod fillets (about 3 oz each)
1 bay leaf
1 finely chopped shallot
1 cup low sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup white wine
1/2 cup half and half
1 cup non fat/low fat natural yogurt (Greek if possible)
1 tbsp corn starch
25-30 green grapes cut in half

Add shallot, bay leaf, wine, cod and chicken broth to a shallow pan with a lid.
Bring to boil and simmer gently with the lid on until the cod is opaque.
Remove the fish to a plate with a slotted spoon and cover with foil to keep warm.
Strain the remaining liquid through a sieve and return to the pan.
Meanwhile, mix the cornstarch with the half and half and add to the pan along with the yogurt over a medium heat. Stir constantly until the mixture coats the back of a spoon then add the grapes and the fish and let warm through.

Serve with brown rice and quinoa (keen-wah) and a veggie....I used carrots for color.

Add some spice to your life!

Many cultures use spices to give their foods a particular flavor but spices are also thought to have antioxidant or anti inflammatory properties and none more so than those of India: turmeric, coriander, cumin, and ginger to name a few.

I came across this Caribbean-inspired recipe from Food and Wine and decided to play around with it a bit to make it a little healthier and perhaps a bit easier. Don't be put off by the banana in the sauce, it gives it texture and a little bit of sweetness. Also, don't be afraid of the spices...they add flavor not heat!


Caribbean Curried Chicken
(serves 4)
Ingredients

4 small skinless boneless chicken breasts cubed
2 large ripe bananas (not overripe) sliced
2 tbsps curry powder
1 teaspoon turmeric
2 teaspoons ground coriander
zest and juice of 1 lime
2 tbsps light margarine
1 cup water
salt and pepper to taste
Splenda to taste

optional: raisins soaked in water for 10 minutes, drained canned pineapple in juice.

Preheat oven to 450 F.
Puree banana, juice, zest, margarine, spices and about 1/4 cup water in a blender or food processor.
Place chicken cubes in an oven safe dish and cover with the sauce.
Cook in the oven for about 25-30 minutes or until a thermometer in the chicken registers 160F or the juices run clear.
If you want to sweeten the sauce a little bit add some Splenda and/or the raisins and chopped pineapple pieces. A little of the pineapple juice will also thin the sauce if necessary.
Decorate with some chopped parsley before serving.....

Serve with brown rice and some salad.