Curried Wild Rice and Curried Green Beans

Right now, we are eating as much out of the pantry as possible to save money. We have a lot of rice and quinoa on hand. Eating rice or quinoa doesn't have to be bland or boring, same thing over and over. Using spices opens up a world of choices and can make every meal taste completely different, as well as, adding health benefits from the spices themselves. Curry powder is typically a blend of fenugreek, coriander, cumin, turmeric, red pepper, garlic, ginger, cloves and black pepper.

All of these have benefits. I will just name a few benefits for each but you can feel free to research each one in detail.

• Fenugreek - Expels toxic waste through the lymphatic system, aids the digestive system, coats ulcers and intestinal sores, and soothes sore throats.
• Coriander - Settles upset stomachs. Best for gas, cramps, and bloating.
• Cumin - Good source of iron, manganese, aids in digestion and may have anti-carcinogenic properties.
• Turmeric - Anti-inflammatory, cleansing agent for internal parasites and yeast infections, and has been used to treat hepatitis and inflammatory bowel diseases.
• Red Pepper - Has cardiovascular benefits, prevents ulcers, opens and drains congested nasal passages.
• Garlic - Natural anti-biotic, used for respiratory problems, stimulates circulation.
• Ginger - Good for digestive disorders, lowers cholesterol, prevents and treats motion sickness.
• Cloves - Kills intestinal parasites, bacteria and fungi; increases circulation, is a natural pain reliever.
• Black Pepper- Used as a pain reliever, antidepressant, and preventing the spread of cancer cells.

So, you can see just from these examples, that not only do spices liven up a boring dish, they can also help to improve quality of health. As with any supplement, if you plan to use spices for more than seasoning your foods, research and check with a qualified doctor. Even natural substances can have interactions with other supplements or medications you are taking or should not be used by those with certain health issues.

Here is the recipe I came up with spur of the moment. I am learning to write things down and measure more. I typically just throw some of this and that in until it looks good. My family told me several times to write it down so I can share. So, that's what I did with this. Hope you enjoy it.  

Note: If you don't use butter you can use coconut oil.

Curried Wild Rice Blend

1 cup wild rice blend with brown rice
2 cups organic chicken broth, free range
1 tsp sea salt
1 Tbsp butter
1 1/2 to 2 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 small onion chopped
2 cups water

Combine all the ingredients in a medium sauce pan and cover and bring to a full boil. Reduce the heat and cook for 50 mins or until done and all water is absorbed. Serve with chicken and/or curried green beans.

Curried Green Beans

2 cups green beans, fresh or frozen
2 Tbsp butter
3/4 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp sea salt
3 to 4 dashes of liquid smoke or 1/4 to 1/2 tsp Coconut Aminos
1 small onion chopped

If using frozen green beans, place in a strainer and run them under hot water to thaw and drain well. Set aside. Over medium heat, cook the onions in the butter until tender or if time permits, slightly caramelized. Add the green beans and seasonings and cook until tender and hot. Serve immediately.