Cooking Channel

I watch the Cooking Channel. A lot. Unlike the Food Network, the cooking channel spends a significant amount of time on cooking, not contests. And I'm glad I do, because this morning I was introduced to this - grilled grapes - genius! (Although I haven't tried it yet - eek).

http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/spiced-chicken-and-grape-skewers-recipe/index.html



When I was first told that I had to follow a low potassium diet, and be aware of all the other restrictions, I spent hours looking at kidney specific recipes (aka davita.com). While Davita is the most useful site out there for CKD and Dialysis patients, it is not the place to go for good food. It is the place to go for your favorites altered (aka makes them taste bad) or to learn about the differences between phosphorus additives vs. naturally occurring phosphorus (most helpful!). I say, branch out and learn to love new foods, b/c you will enjoy your food a thousand times more. Unless you really love bad salsa and cream cheese, in which case even if you don't have kidney problems you will love the davita website.

Otherwise, I say look for kidney friendly recipes that were created not because they were thinking of kidney patients, but were created because people thought they tasted good!

Just think of all the grilled skewer possibilities...pineapple, shrimp, red pepper...I know my parents can't wait for me to experiment on their grill!!

Beans! Delicious.

What high phosphorus food can I not live without? Beans! However if I can exhibit self control, it is possible to still enjoy beans.

For instance today I made "re-fried" black beans. Don't they look wonderful.


(This was before I put them in the food processor.)

The bad news: I could have easily eaten that in one sitting, instead that is going to be five servings. Sadness.

Delicious Beans:
1/2 medium onion
5-10 basil leaves
1 shallot of garlic
1/2 teaspoon of sea salt
1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
1 tsp of ground cumin
1 tbsp of chili powder
2 tbsp of olive oil (plus extra for texture)
1 can (15oz) (Eden Organic) Black Beans

1. Heat olive oil in skillet.
2. Chop onion and saute in olive oil.
3. Grate garlic into skillet.
4. Add basil leaves to skillet. Saute together for about 5 min.
5. Add beans, salt, pepper, ground cumin, and chili powder to skillet. Cook for about 5 - 10 minutes.
6. At this point you could either just eat the whole beans. Or you can mash with a potato masher. Or you can let cool and process in a food processor.
7. If using a food processor, you may wish to add olive oil for a smoother consistency. I for instance add about half a tbsp.