Clean Eating Fall SIP 2015

Since launching Clean Eating 8 years ago, readers have been praising our slow-cooker creations and requesting an entire issue dedicated to them. Well, it’s finally here! And I’m already making mental notes of which to try first. When fall and winter roll around, my schedule becomes even more hectic, and the only way to continue eating clean and maximize every waking hour is to set up my slow cooker before I leave for the office and come home to an aromatic and welcoming dinner, ready to be served. To some, perhaps, slow cookers feel a little dated, but to the busy clean eater, this magnificent appliance is a savior, and let me assure you, these are not your mother’s slow-cooker recipes. No old-school pot roasts here. Inside, you’ll find everything…

The soul of clean eating is consuming food the way nature delivered it, or as close to it as possible. It is not a diet; it’s a lifestyle approach to food and its preparation, leading to an improved life – one meal at a time. Eat five to six times a day – three meals and two to three small snacks. Include a lean protein, plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, and a complex carbohydrate with each meal. This keeps your body energized and burning calories efficiently all day long. Choose organic whenever possible. If your budget limits you, make meat, eggs, dairy and the Dirty Dozen (ewg.org/foodnews) your organic priorities. Drink at least two liters of water a day, preferably from a reusable canteen, not plastic; we’re friends of the environment here!…

1. THE CLASSIC Crock-Pot 6-Quart Cook & Carry Digital Slow Cooker with Heat-Saver Stoneware, Brushed Stainless Steel With a stoneware insert, this slow cooker is designed to keep cooked food warm while traveling, so it’s ideal for carting your clean eats to potlucks or events. PRO: Secure locking lid prevents leaks while you’re on the go, and a handy gauge lets you keep an eye on the temperature of the food inside. CON: A sauté pan is required to sear meat before cooking. $60, crock-pot.com 2. MOST INTUITIVE Hamilton Beach IntelliTime 6-Quart Slow Cooker This model operates based on what time you want to serve your meal and automatically adjusts its cook cycle to suit. It also has a manual setting with four heat levels to choose from if you’d rather let time run its course.…

The golden spice: A common ingredient in South Asian and Middle Eastern food, turmeric is known to have antiinflammatory benefits thanks to its curcumin content, the compound that’s responsible for its bright yellow color. Studies of curcumin show promise in helping relieve the pain of inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. MOROCCAN BEEF, CHICKPEA & SWEET POTATO STEW SERVES6. HANDS-ON TIME:40 MINUTES. TOTAL TIME:4 HOURS, 40 MINUTES (PLUS SOAKING TIME). Fragrantly spiced beef with chickpeas and sweet potatoes make for a satisfying, protein-rich meal. Dried apricots add a punch of sweetness to balance the richness of this dish. INGREDIENTS: • 2 tbsp olive oil, divided • 1 lb sirloin beef, trimmed of fat and cut into ¼-inch-thick strips • 3 cloves garlic, minced • 1 yellow onion, coarsely chopped • 1 tsp each ground turmeric and ground cumin • ½ tsp each…

CAULIFLOWER & CARDAMOM SOUP with Spiced Chickpeas SERVES6. HANDS-ON TIME:15 MINUTES. TOTAL TIME:3 HOURS, 15 MINUTES. Few things can instantly warm you up on a cool day like a comforting bowl of soup. Forget sodium-filled canned varieties and put together our spiced cauliflower soup, enlivened with turmeric, cardamom and saffron, with only 15 minutes of hands-on work. INGREDIENTS: • 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 cup chopped sweet onion • 1½ tsp each ground turmeric and cardamom • Pinch each saffron and red pepper flakes • 3 cloves garlic, chopped • 1 head cauliflower (about 1½ lbs), roughly chopped • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard • 3 cups low-sodium vegetable broth • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice • Sea salt and ground black pepper, to taste SPICED CHICKPEAS • ½ cup cooked chickpeas • ½ tsp each ground coriander, turmeric and fennel • Pinch red pepper flakes • 1 tsp peeled…

CHICKEN CACCIATORE with Spaghetti Squash SERVES6. HANDS-ON TIME:20 MINUTES. TOTAL TIME:8 HOURS, 15 MINUTES. Let hardy vegetables, tender chicken and aromatic spices mingle all day in your slow cooker and then come home salivating to the delicious smell of this lightened-up Italian classic. The spaghetti squash here replaces traditional noodles and can be made the night before (and refrigerated), or whipped up in under 15 minutes from the time you walk in your door. INGREDIENTS: • 1½ lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces • ½ tsp kosher salt • ¼ tsp ground black pepper • 1 tbsp olive oil • 1 large yellow onion, sliced • 2 cups frozen sliced mixed bell peppers • 10 oz sliced baby portobello mushrooms • 1 26-oz carton unsalted chopped tomatoes (TRY: Pomì Chopped Tomatoes) • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth • 6 tbsp low-sodium tomato…