Spinach and Sweet Potato Curry (Recipe from Sprouts)

Spinach and Sweet Potato Curry

This is a Sprouts Recipe:

https://www.sprouts.com/recipe/details/-/view/11280/spinach-and-sweet-potato-curry

In the event the page disappears, here’s the text (my comments are in these brackets):

Ingredients

3	Sweet Potatoes , peeled and cut into large chunks
2 Tbsp	Olive Oil
5	Garlic Cloves , chopped
1 tsp	Fresh Ginger , chopped
2 cans	Diced Tomatoes , 14.5 oz. each (time and supply available, I’ll use more fresh and less canned, as makes large flavor difference)
3 med	Tomatoes , quartered
1/2 tsp	Cumin
1/2 tsp	Turmeric
1/2 tsp	Ground Coriander
1/2 tsp	Black Pepper
2 cups	Fresh Spinach (there wasn’t nearly enough spinach - next time I’ll add at least wice as much)
1	Chili , sliced (I use three - but zero for kids)

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the sweet potatoes and simmer for 7-10 minutes, until fork tender. Drain and set aside.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and ginger, and sauté about 1 to 2 minutes. (CAREFULL! - REMOVE FROM HEAT FIRST) Stir in the canned tomatoes, and the fresh tomatoes. (then return to heat) Add the cumin, turmeric, coriander, and black pepper; stir and let simmer about 5 minutes.

3. Add in the drained sweet potatoes and spinach, and cook until the spinach wilts. Add in the sliced chilis and serve with a side of rice.
 (we didn't eat it with any rice, and it was a great meal. the chilies I cooked in oil on the side and added to my dish to each person could pick their own spice level)

Keep It Simple

Thinking back to what I've come to call the adjustment period, I think the best advice I received was to keep it simple. Don't get caught up looking for replacements or specialty products which may come and go, or require trips all over town to purchase.

I remember talking to a good friend after returning from the grocery store broken and near meltdown. Feeling wiped after reading label after label, and coming home almost empty handed. Her advice:  Keep the ingredients simple! Funny thing is, her husband partially overheard the conversation and thought she was being too hard on me - absolutely not!

There are more convenience foods available today than ever before. They can be great in a pinch, but add up quickly, and some even come and go. The easiest way to avoid many allergens is to simply stick with the basics: meats, fruits and vegetables

It's not as boring as it may sound, and honestly with a some tricks and a little practice, you'll be surprised what you can come up with. That's not to say we don't consume convenience foods, but we strive to limit them, and our family seems to even feel better when we do.

In our family we're avoiding wheat, corn, soy and dairy due to allergies. At times it can be difficult to tell if an item is truly free of all the allergens from the ingredient label. Corn and soy are hidden nearly everywhere, and corn is not an FDA mandated ingredient to call out for allergies, making it even more elusive at times.

Ever wonder what is in those natural flavors? Or from what source the maltodextrin was derived? Depending on allergen levels, best to email the manufacturer. I've had a 100% response rate, and all with helpful information. I've even received some free samples! Some companies do not know, or cannot guarantee the ingredients of the natural flavors or maltodextrin, as they purchase it from a third party. Either way, they'll have the information you need, from which you can make a judgement call.

So instead of a new recipe today, just head to the store (or your fridge), grab some whole-food-based products and be creative.

How do I get dinner ideas?
Pictures, not recipes. I scroll pictures on the AllRecipes app or web (I've heard Pinterest may also be a good resource). Once I see something that looks appealing, I'll often skim the recipe, and then use our allergen-safe ingredients to come up with something similar - or at times, completely different sparked by a combination of pictures. The key is not to try to make exactly what you've seen, and expect it to taste the same as it did when you were consuming ingredients which you've since eliminated. That will only lead to disappointment. Think in your head, of the ingredients you have on hand, what preparation methods and combinations sounds good. And don't be disappointed if they all don't work out - it's not magic, it's trial and error.