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Easy Tandoori Chicken

Tandoori spice contains turmeric and ginger… both so healing!
easy tandoori chicken

Sometimes, I get a really strong craving for Indian food. But, it’s not often that I can get anyone I’m with to agree with me. For some unfortunate reason, I’m surrounded by people who think they dislike Indian food. I maintain that they have some wrong ideas about what good Indian food tastes like, but instead of arguing, I make this simple tandoori chicken along with whatever more strongly spiced food I feel like eating, and it’s a win-win.

This easy tandoori chicken recipe really is just that. It’s so easy. And, it’s perfect for anyone who thinks they don’t like Indian food. It has only the slightest hint of traditional spices and everyone likes it. Yes, even those who swear they hate this kind of food. A big thanks to Michelle at Nom Nom Paleo for creating the original recipe!

So, depending on who your audience is, you can call it whatever you like. I recommend something like: Really Good Roast Chicken, or Yogurt Marinated Chicken…

I suggest making a big batch of this chicken because the leftovers are awesome. Shred it up and top salads with it. Make sandwiches with it. Or, my personal favorite: Eat it straight out of the fridge with your hands…

When I was working at my first job ever in New York City, I used to take myself out to lunch to a dirty little place that I just thought was the greatest. I would sit at a stool at the counter and order curried chicken salad. This chicken, shredded up, with a little mayo, curry powder, and raisins or dried cranberries… OMG… it is soooooo good. Roll this in a collard leaf and now you’re talking….

And really, who doesn’t need an easy four-ingredient (five, if you count the salt) dinner recipe in their repertoire?

If you want to try another one of my chicken recipes, try my Sprouted Grain Chicken Cutlets.

easy tandoori chicken

easy tandoori chicken

There are only a few ingredients in this easy tandoori chicken, but they are good for you:

Chicken is something I push people to buy organic if possible. Organic chicken is a great, healthy protein to give you energy, lessen the pain of some types of arthritis, and boost your system when you are particularly weak — like after surgery or childbirth. People who have some conditions that we consider “excess heat” conditions should limit the amount of chicken they eat. So, if you have an illness that gives you a bright red tongue or severe dryness in your body, check with your doctor first. For example, if you have a lot of burning stomach acid, you should avoid chicken for awhile…

In eastern medicine, we use coconut to strengthen the body, reduce swelling, and stop bleeding. Coconut kills viruses, bacteria, and parasites. It’s good for all types of infections and viruses in the body, including the flu, bronchitis, tapeworms, urinary tract infections, and herpes. And perhaps most importantly, it helps you keep your mind sharp and it makes it easier for you to focus.

Lemons are good for your stomach, they help detoxify your body, they balance your pH and they act as an antibacterial. If you have a sore throat or a cough, go for lemons to make things better. Lemons are great for quenching your thirst, and, in China, many years ago, hypertension was treated by drinking tea made from lemon peels. This recipe uses fresh lemon juice.

Tandoori spice mixes usually include turmeric and ginger. Turmeric is actually a Chinese herb (Jiang Huang). It is great for reducing inflammation throughout the body. If you suffer from aches and pains in your joints, try turmeric. It can help relieve menstrual pain and some other abdominal pains but, if you are pregnant, ask your doctor before you eat too much turmeric. Ginger is also a Chinese herb (Gan Jiang) that warms the body. It’s especially good during cold weather and also during seasonal changes. So, when it’s winter or when winter is trying to turn into spring, and we (those of us on the east coast) get some of these cold, raw, damp days, ginger will make you feel better and will help boost your immune system. Old folklore shows that ginger was rubbed on scalps to stop baldness. And, in some circles, a ginger paste is still rubbed on arthritic joints to stop pain (don’t try this at home unless you are diagnosed with a cold-condition by an acupuncturist).

Easy Tandoori Chicken
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Serves: 4
This recipe is made with 5 ingredients. Everyone will like it -- even those who say they don't like Indian food!
Ingredients
  • 8 chicken thighs (with bone and skin) (about 2-1/2 lb.)
  • Sea salt
  • 1 cup coconut yogurt (use full-fat)
  • 1 Tbs Tandoori spice mix (here's one)
  • Juice of ½ a lemon
  • coconut or olive oil for greasing the rack
Instructions
  1. Generously season the chicken with sea salt.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the yogurt, tandoori spice, and lemon juice.
  3. Stir until well combined.
  4. Add the chicken.
  5. Mush it all up with your hands so that the chicken is well coated.
  6. Cover the bowl and place it in the fridge for a few hours or overnight.
  7. Heat your oven to 375°F convection setting, or 400°F regular bake setting.
  8. Cover a large baking tray with foil. Place a rack on top of the tray. Brush the rack with oil.
  9. Arrange the chicken on the rack, skin-side-down, making sure the pieces are not touching each other.
  10. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes, then flip the chicken over and roast for another 20 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the skin is crispy and browned.
  11. Enjoy!

easy tandoori chicken

Simple Poached Salmon With Yogurt Sauce

This simple poached salmon with yogurt sauce will keep you healthy inside and out…

simple poached salmon with yogurt sauce

I don’t think I’ve poached salmon since I was in cooking school. I don’t really know why I don’t do it more often though, because this salmon is awesome. It’s perfect if you are serving a crowd and it’s an easy dish to make ahead and serve cold or at room temperature. This simple poached salmon with yogurt sauce really is just that: simple.

What’s better than a dish that is made for leftovers? The salmon that’s leftover here makes the best cold salmon salad. And it makes a terrific filling for omelets. Oh, and topping a salad with some big chunks of this moist salmon and then using the yogurt sauce as a dressing… well, just… yum!

I made this a few weeks ago when I was asked to bring a main course to a family gathering. Honestly, I usually use those kinds of opportunities to experiment with new recipes (which some people are happy about and some people are just plain scared about), but on this particular day, I just didn’t feel like cooking. And I’ve learned the hard way that if I don’t feel like cooking but I cook anyway, any first-time-experimental-recipe invariably comes out pretty bad. So, I figured I’d do something simple. Something mainstream. Something everyone would love, and nobody would be fearful of.

Oh, did I mention that I used my leftover simple poached salmon with yogurt sauce to make tacos the next day…?

And, the yogurt sauce is non-dairy!

I tell a lot of my clients to add wild salmon to their diet to increase their athletic performance — this fish can help reduce aches and pains in your muscles and joints, and it’s a good source of iron.

If you want to try another great salmon recipe, try my recipe for Blood Orange Salmon With Turnip Noodles.

simple poached salmon with yogurt sauce

simple poached salmon with yogurt sauce

Here are some of the awesome healing ingredients in this simple poached salmon with yogurt sauce recipe:

Salmon is the perfect food to nourish the blood and the yin. It’s especially great for women because it raises fertility levels by promoting a healthy endometrial lining. Salmon is also great for anyone who is in need of additional iron. Be sure to buy wild salmon because the levels of mercury are lower than in farmed salmon. This beautiful fish also contains large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, making it a good food source to combat breast cancer, Alzheimer’s, asthma, depression and diabetes. Lately there’s also been a lot of evidence that salmon is great at reducing intestinal inflammation and that it’s also good for your joints and muscles.

Scallions, as I tell you often, are one of my favorites. In Chinese medicine, the root of the scallion is a healing herb (Cong Bai). I always keep scallions on hand in my refrigerator so that I can whip up a batch of cold and flu fighting tea (scallion roots and ginger) the second anyone feels that scratchy throat coming on. It helps the body sweat out toxins. Scallions are antiviral and antibacterial; they are good for the common cold and general nasal congestion — just don’t eat too many if you have a fever.

Lemons are good for your stomach, they help detoxify your body, they balance your pH and they act as an antibacterial agent. If you have a sore throat or a cough, go for lemons to make things better. Lemons are great for quenching your thirst, and, in China, many years ago, hypertension was treated by drinking tea made from lemon peels.

In Asian medicine, we use coconut to strengthen the body, reduce swelling, and stop bleeding. Coconut kills viruses, bacteria, and parasites. It’s good for all types of infections and viruses in the body, including the flu, bronchitis, tapeworms, urinary tract infections, and herpes. And perhaps most importantly, it helps you keep your mind sharp and it makes it easier for you to focus. I used a full-fat coconut yogurt for the sauce to accompany this salmon.

Dill is considered a chemoprotective in that it can help neutralize some carcinogens. It also helps fight bacteria in the body.

simple poached salmon with yogurt sauce

Simple Poached Salmon With Yogurt Sauce
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Recipe type: simple, paleo, whole30
Cuisine: seafood, fish, salmon
Author:
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 10
This is a classic recipe. Anyone you serve it to will love it and the leftovers make awesome tacos...
Ingredients
  • 4 lb salmon fillet, cut in half
  • ¼ cup white vinegar
  • 4 scallions, cut into 3 or 4 pieces (leave the roots on)
  • 1 lemon, cut in half
  • 2 carrots, cut into thick slices
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 10 grinds black pepper
  • For the sauce:
  • 1 cup full-fat plain coconut yogurt
  • ⅓ cup healthy mayonnaise (I used Fabannaise)
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh dill
  • sea salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
Instructions
  1. Place the salmon in a large pot and cover it will water.
  2. Add the vinegar and scallions to the pot.
  3. Squeeze the lemon halves into the pot and then toss in the lemons halves themselves.
  4. Add salt and pepper.
  5. Bring to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to a low simmer.
  6. Simmer about 10 minutes, or just until the salmon is cooked (if you start to see the white fat congealing on the fish, it's a bit past done... so watch carefully)
  7. Using two large spatulas, carefully remove the fish to a platter. You can throw away the lemons and scallions, but if you like carrots, serve them strewn around the salmon.
  8. Make the sauce: Stir together all ingredients.
  9. Break up the salmon a bit on the platter and serve with the sauce.

simple poached salmon with yogurt sauce

Chicken Souvlaki Bowls

These Chicken Souvlaki Bowls will help with your mental concentration and energy levels… chicken & coconut… a great combo for body & mind energy…

chicken souvlaki bowls

I don’t know how or when it started, but somewhere along the way my family just assumed they were eating healthy when they ordered in Greek food. I do love Greek food… but really, souvlaki in a pita smothered in sauce (no matter how delicious), is just not a healthy meal. But, thankfully, this recipe for chicken souvlaki bowls is easy to make, healthy, and even more delicious than if it came from your favorite Greek restaurant. This bowl is completely paleo (if you use grain-free pita bread), dairy-free (the yogurt is coconut yogurt), and Whole 30 friendly, so let the healthy eating begin!

And yes, I am one of those people that truly believes that almost everything tastes better in a bowl. Just look at this one. It has all the fixins of traditional souvlaki, but it’s deconstructed in a bowl. You can sauce it yourself, add whatever kind of pita or bread you like (I used some sprouted grain pita), and add whatever veggies you like.

Just as an aside, I used oregano in the marinade for a few reasons.  One: it tastes great. Two: oregano is an awesome germ fighter.  I’ve been experimenting lately with oregano essential oil, and I think the next time I make this, I’m going to put a drop or two into the mix…

I made these awesome chicken souvlaki bowls last week when my son was over for dinner. He’s a big fan of overstuffed Greek pita sandwiches, so I wasn’t sure he would give these bowls a fair shot. This chicken got a huge thumbs up… but, he did take the contents of the bowl and cram it all into the pita… And, much to my chagrin, this meal was consumed while Ryan and Steve watched golf on TV. Oh, how I sometimes long for the days of eating at the table like mannered humans… (OK, so maybe I’m a little happy to sometimes eat in front of a good Netflix marathon…)

For another delicious healing chicken recipe, try my Turmeric Chicken.

chicken souvlaki bowls

Here’s what’s so great about some of the ingredients in this healthy chicken souvlaki bowl:

Chicken is something I push people to buy organic if possible. Organic chicken is a great, healthy protein to give you energy, lessen the pain of some types of arthritis, and boost your system when you are particularly weak — like after surgery or childbirth. People who have some conditions that we consider “excess heat” conditions should limit the amount of chicken they eat. So, if you have an illness that gives you a bright red tongue or severe dryness in your body, check with your doctor first. For example, if you have a lot of burning stomach acid, you should avoid chicken for awhile…

In Asian medicine, we use coconut to strengthen the body, reduce swelling, and stop bleeding. Coconut kills viruses, bacteria, and parasites. It’s good for all types of infections and viruses in the body, including the flu, bronchitis, tapeworms, urinary tract infections, and herpes. And perhaps most importantly, it helps you keep your mind sharp and it makes it easier for you to focus. My absolute favorite coconut yogurt is Anita’s (see recipe below for link).

Oregano is a powerful antioxidant and it is great at fighting bacteria. It’s also known as an herb that brings joy and happiness to people. I even just bought a bottle of oregano essential oil and I put a drop in our smoothies a few weeks ago when Steve had a cold… it’s powerful stuff!

Onions are great for your immune system; they are a natural antihistamine. Recently, I recommended that a patient with bronchitis put sliced raw onions in her socks when she went to sleep… she woke up so much better; they actually can rid the body of bacteria. (I know I’ve told you this before, but it really is awesome!) Onion is a superhero in the food world!

Garlic is amazing in its antiviral and antibacterial capabilities. Garlic is actually a Chinese herb (Da Suan). It’s used to kill toxins and parasites and also to reduce swelling in the body. It’s what I call a great “A” herb: anesthetic, antibacterial, anti fungal, antioxidant, antiviral, etc….

chicken souvlaki bowls

Chicken Souvlaki Bowls
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Recipe type: chicken, Greek, mental and physical energy booster
Cuisine: paleo, whole30
Author:
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4
Greek food sometimes is not the healthiest choice. But this bowl... oh my... it's simple, delicious, and it will actually give you mind and body energy!
Ingredients
  • For chicken:
  • 8 boneless, skinless, organic chicken thighs
  • sea salt and black pepper
  • 1-1/2 cups coconut yogurt (plus extra for serving)
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tsp dried oregano
  • ¼ cup almond milk
  • 1 tsp garlic powder (or use as much as you like) Note: please use fresh minced garlic if you have it -- I didn't have any on hand, so I used the powder.
  • 2 Tbs dried minced onion flakes
  • 1 Tbs red wine vinegar
  • 1 med red onion, thinly sliced
  • For bowls:
  • greens of choice
  • tomatoes
  • coconut yogurt (I love Anita's)
  • optional veggies: bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, green beans, broccoli
Instructions
  1. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Place it in a bowl or dish with the coconut yogurt, oil, oregano, almond milk, garlic, minced dried onion, and vinegar. Smoosh it around until the marinade is covering all of the chicken. Refrigerate as long as you can (I put mine in the fridge for about 4 hours).
  2. Preheat the oven to 400°F convection setting, or 425°F regular bake setting.
  3. Cover a rimmed baking tray with parchment paper.
  4. Spread the chicken onto the tray in a single layer. Keep the marinade on the chicken.
  5. Lay the red onion slices on top of the chicken.
  6. Bake until the chicken is cooked through, about 30 minutes.
  7. Arrange the chicken in bowls with greens, tomatoes, extra yogurt, and any veggies you like.
  8. Enjoy!

chicken souvlaki bowls