Easter Book

A couple years ago, after Jim ran to the drug store to fill my Easter basket at 10pm on Holy Saturday because he had forgotten and then finding plastic chicks and way to much Easter candy in it I decided that we should start a different tradition. I pick us each a Easter bunny (or here a giant chocolate egg as bunnies are uncommon) and we each choose a book we want. We are both happy and we don't have a sugar overload or random easter gadgets.

So, this years Easter book... "Feeding the Whole Family: Cooking with Whole Foods". I'm loving it. Because it is whole foods it doesn't use juices, refined sugar or other processed foods. It does use meats, but sparingly and there are plenty of vegetarian recipes. And the best part is that after each recipe it recommends what you can reserve and serve (typically pureed) to a baby.

My first dinner from the book was Mediterranean Quinoa. If you haven't cooked with Quinoa it is an ancient grain and a complete protein, so it is super healthy. The Mediterranean Quinoa was yummy and Rowan had Quinoa porridge. (the spoon in his porridge is made from a scottish sheep's horn and was a baptism gift from a dear friend - I love it!) The best part of the meal was that it makes great no-need-to-reheat leftovers, which I had it for lunch the past two days.

And, my latest find from the book is the whole grain bread. You first cook a whole grain (I used brown rice above) you then puree it with water and leave it with yeast and salt for 12-24 hours to ferment. That becomes the starter for your bread. You can use any grain (I'm excited to try Quinoa, Millet and barley loaves) and then add a bit of maple syrup or honey to sweeten it and some whole grain flour. It makes a soft, yummy, healthy bread. I've been trying to make bread once a week the past couple months and I think this will be our new default bread.