Show 455, December 11, 2021: Chef Bill Bracken, Founder & Culinary Director Bracken’s Kitchen, Garden Grove

Bill Bracken of Brackens Kitchen

Bracken’s Kitchen is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Orange County California. Founded in 2013 their mission is simple: Through food rescue, culinary training and their community feeding program Bracken’s Kitchen is committed to rescuing, re-purposing and restoring both food and lives.”

“With the help of Bracken’s Kitchen’s nonprofit charity partners, business and professional supporters, volunteers, donors and employees they are committed to providing over 2 million tasty and nutritious meals in 2021.”

“In its simplest form, Bracken’s Kitchen delivers hot and nutritious meals in a fun, and dignified manner. The program strives to serve the highest quality and most nutritious meals that many of their clients will get all week.”

“Bracken has leveraged his relationships in the business to build a model that can provide a complete, well-balanced dinner spending less than $0.35 for the food to prepare it. A typical meal may be Roasted Pork Loin with Charred Tomatoes and Bell Peppers, Brown Rice Pilaf, Sautéed Seasonal Vegetables, Southwestern Caesar Salad and Fresh Fruit.”

Founder & Culinary Director Chef Bill Bracken takes a break from his busy Garden Grove kitchens and joins us.

Show 449, October 30, 2021: Clean Eating Kitchen’s Michelle Dudash, Registered Dietarian Nutritionist – The Low-Carb Mediterranean Cookbook Part One

Michelle Dudash RDN

“From the creator of Clean Eating Kitchen, Registered Dietarian Nutritionist Michelle Dudash presents The Low-Carb Mediterranean Cookbook with simple, plant-focused recipes for lifelong health.”

“The Mediterranean diet holds the top rank for being easy to follow and delivering proven results for improved heart health and blood sugar management, decreased risk of cancer, and increased longevity. This cookbook combines the best aspects of the Mediterranean diet with more than 100 nutritious recipes that help the whole family eat clean including 60 meals that can be prepared in 30-minutes or less.”

“Clean Eating Kitchen: The Low-Carb Mediterranean Cookbook delivers the benefits of the Mediterranean diet with fewer carbs, satisfying a mostly plant- and seafood-based regimen that is higher in protein and good fats. This book includes the healthiest, most crave-worthy ingredients and flavors of the Mediterranean diet that are sure to induce wanderlust. Included are satisfying dishes ranging from Creamy Spinach Pie with Almond Flour Crust to Sheet Pan Chickpea and Broccoli Dinner.”

“With low-carb and low-sugar recipes packed with protein, you and your family can stay healthy by following one of the best eating lifestyles in the world. Enjoy simple, wholesome meals that leave everyone around the table happy and satisfied with the Clean Eating Kitchen: The Low-Carb Mediterranean Diet Cookbook.”

Michelle gracious shares with us her recipes for Mini Bell Peppers Stuffed with Turkey and Pistachios, and Sheet Pan Chickpea and Broccoli Dinner from The Low-Carb Mediterranean Cookbook.

Michelle Dudash joins us with us with tongs at the ready.

Show 449, October 30, 2021: Clean Eating Kitchen’s Michelle Dudash, Registered Dietarian Nutritionist – The Low-Carb Mediterranean Cookbook Part Two

Michelle Dudash RDN

“From the creator of Clean Eating Kitchen, Registered Dietarian Nutritionist Michelle Dudash presents The Low-Carb Mediterranean Cookbook with simple, plant-focused recipes for lifelong health.”

“The Mediterranean diet holds the top rank for being easy to follow and delivering proven results for improved heart health and blood sugar management, decreased risk of cancer, and increased longevity. This cookbook combines the best aspects of the Mediterranean diet with more than 100 nutritious recipes that help the whole family eat clean including 60 meals that can be prepared in 30-minutes or less.”

“Clean Eating Kitchen: The Low-Carb Mediterranean Cookbook delivers the benefits of the Mediterranean diet with fewer carbs, satisfying a mostly plant- and seafood-based regimen that is higher in protein and good fats. This book includes the healthiest, most crave-worthy ingredients and flavors of the Mediterranean diet that are sure to induce wanderlust. Included are satisfying dishes ranging from Creamy Spinach Pie with Almond Flour Crust to Sheet Pan Chickpea and Broccoli Dinner.”

“With low-carb and low-sugar recipes packed with protein, you and your family can stay healthy by following one of the best eating lifestyles in the world. Enjoy simple, wholesome meals that leave everyone around the table happy and satisfied with the Clean Eating Kitchen: The Low-Carb Mediterranean Diet Cookbook.”

The last Chapter in the cookbook is “La Dolce Vita: Sweets and Fruit Dishes.” Chef Michelle highlights one of her favorite desserts – Vegan Chocolate Mousse with Aquafaba.

Michelle gracious shares with us her recipes for Mini Bell Peppers Stuffed with Turkey and Pistachios, and Sheet Pan Chickpea and Broccoli Dinner from The Low-Carb Mediterranean Cookbook.

Michelle Dudash continues with us with tongs at the ready.

Mini Bell Peppers stuffed with Turkey and Pistachios

Mini Bell Peppers stuffed with Turkey and Pistachios by Michelle Dudash

Recipe excerpt from:
Clean Eating Kitchen: The Low-Carb Mediterranean Cookbook
by Michelle Dudash

I love those raw sweet mini bell peppers for snacking. Just wash and eat! They also look adorable stuffed with ground turkey and roasted as little appetizers. You can prep these a day in advance and pop them into the oven right before party time.

  • 1 (1-pound) bag mini bell peppers (about 16)
  • 3/4 pound ground turkey (93% lean)
  • 1⁄3 cup shelled pistachios, finely chopped
  • 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander (see Recipe Note)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

Preheat the oven to 400º F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Cut off the tops of the peppers right between the straight sides and the rounded shoulders. Pull out the seeds and membranes using your fingers or dislodge with a paring knife. Poke a hole into the pointy tips of the peppers, making an air gap to allow for easier stuffing.

In a medium bowl, combine the turkey, pistachios (reserving 2 tablespoons for later), vinegar, cumin, 1/4 teaspoon salt, coriander, cinnamon, and pepper. Using a small spoon or butter knife, stuff the peppers with the turkey, leaving a nice rounded top protruding out a bit at the top of the peppers. Gently roll the meat ends of the peppers into the reserved pistachios. Place the peppers on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with the oil and sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt.

Bake until the largest peppers are blistered and tender, 15 to 20 minutes.

Suggestions and Variations
For a pepper-free version, you can shape the turkey into small patties and sauté in a bit of olive oil over medium heat.

Recipe Note
My preferred way to buy coriander is as whole seeds and then grinding only the amount I need in a mortar and pestle. It adds texture to the dish, where a fine powder can’t. And the aroma is dreamy. It’s one of my favorite spices, and I use it in Asian-style stir-fries, chili, and meat rubs.

Total prep and cook time: 30 minutes • Yield: 16 Servings, 1 Pepper Each

Per Serving: 57 Calories, 2 G Carbohydrate (1 G Fiber, 0 G Added Sugars, 1 G Net Carbs), 5 G Protein, 4 G Fat, 85 MG Sodium.