Monday, March 17, 2014

Harvest Monday, 17 March 2014

I tried making my risotto slightly differently and didn't like it nearly as much. My husband agreed. The main difference was trying brown rice instead of the traditional aborrio rice. I won't do that again. From the preserved garden fare there is garlic, thyme, and broccoli.

Then I wasn't paying any attention and cooked my chicken leg upside down so the skin didn't crisp up. Now none of my family actually eats the skin as I've been well trained that skin is bad for you. OK maybe I sneak a little now and then, but usually not. So I took this one upside down leg and didn't feel too deprived. At least the preserved veggies from the garden were plentiful and good. The squash was done up as a casserole with some maple syrup. Yum. I can't believe that I just took photos of my mistakes this week. I had a beautiful salad made with preserved sweet potatoes and corn. It also had green onion and apple with a lime dressing. Yummy. And it was so pretty and colorful, but I guess it was camera shy. I also had a beautifully colored pizza. But again no photo.

And does preserving count if you take a squash and cook it and freeze it? One preserving method to another. When I roast squash I usually cook up two of them and puree them down and freeze them as it is easier to use them this way.

This week cooking will be different. I've decided that I shouldn't put it off any longer. Today starts my elimination diet. I've been having GI issues along with some weird health problems. If you haven't had to go on one (lucky you) it basically eliminates most of the typical problem foods and stick to that for about four weeks and then start putting them back in one at a time. So I can eat all fruit except for the citrus and all vegetables except the nightshades (of course I already know I have trouble with them, but it is a common problem). The only grains that I'll be eating are rice and buckwheat. No legumes, no nuts or seeds, no dairy or eggs, no beverages except water, peppermint tea, and homemade rice milk. No fats except EVOO. Only cold water fish (but no shellfish), trout, and turkey as meats (though I'm contemplating letting in chicken as some elimination diets allow it and then I can use things like my homemade chicken broth), no canned or preserved meats. No sweeteners at all (though again I'm contemplating letting in very small amounts of maple syrup) and no chocolate. As to condiments I can't have any prepared things like mustard, mayo, relish, and vinegar, but the fresh or dried spices and herbs are OK. Vinegar for me will be a problem. How do you make a dressing without some kind of acid? Citrus is out and vinegar is out. And I don't like greens nearly as much without an acid. But I love them with it and just think they are OK without.

My suspicions are that I won't be able to put soy or beans back into my diet. Though I could be wrong. Food might not be an issue at all. But I won't know until I try. Wish me luck. It is going to be a hard month not eating any real treats. Last night I had chocolate cake and scotch. I won't be seeing those for a while.

Harvest Monday is a day to show off your harvests, how you are saving your harvest, or how you are using your harvest. If you have a harvest you want to show off, add your name and link to Mr Linky below.

13 comments:

  1. I wish you luck with the elimination diet. I'm glad I have not had to do anything like that, as I think I would be very depressed! No entry to Harvest Monday from me again, since I am currently sowing and planting but not harvesting.

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  2. Sorry to hear about all the food issues and the elimination diet. Have you read much about FODMAPS? I'm a dietitian and work have patients with irritable bowel. You have an expert on that in Boston. (Kate Scarlata RD)

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    1. I hadn't heard of that one before. Though I strongly think my problem is lectin based as the symptoms fit. My dad has celiacs. Though I don't think gluten is my problem. I'll certainly find out.

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  3. Hope the diet study reveals something useful! Have you ruled out stress as a culprit? It can wreck digestion.

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    1. It can, but no. My problems started over the summer when I was pretty unstressed. I'm pretty stressed now for other reasons (wish the garden was going as it is my therapy), but the symptoms aren't any worse for it.

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  4. A welcome return of the broccoli and, yes, freezing squash absolutely counts as preserving! I hope the elimination diet sheds some light on the cause of your health problems. It must be debilitating as well as frustrating, especially since you're already on a restricted diet. As for a vinegar-free dressing, fermented foods (if they're allowed) might be one option, and we love our greens simply dressed with salt and really good olive oil...

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  5. Good luck on your diet. I hope I never have to do that! Thank you for showing a couple of your mistakes as you are such a wonderful cook! Nancy

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  6. Hope your elimination diet helps, lactose intolerance is my biggest issue, but it's nothing compare to yours.

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  7. That diet sounds hard! I hope it helps you figure out the problem and get back to eating more variety.

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  8. sounds bad-- salad with no dressing--

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  9. Good luck! I have you get further insight into your GI issues. It must be so frustrating. :(

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  10. You made a very delicious food by vegetables. Great job.

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  11. A bit late to add my post! Hope your diet is working out.

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