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!!

Chicken Salad****

So, I don't ever cook from a recipe...or if there is a recipe, I find it very difficult to follow. Either way, I made chicken salad and did my best to measure everything.

Ingredients:

1-2 chicken breasts
1 med shallot
1/2 an orange or yellow bell pepper*
1/2 cucumber (enough to cut into bite size pieces for at least a 1/4 of a cup)
1/4 cup blueberries (go through and hand pick - you don't want mushy food)
1/4 cup of halved seedless grapes (I'd go with red)*
1 tblsp of olive oil
2 tblsp of light mayo**
1/2 tblsp of dijon mustard
Seasonings:
pepper (preferably a grinder)
dried italian seaonings(any kind oregano, basil, etc.)
Mrs. Dash (spicy)

makes 4 servings

1. Take shallot, grate until you have about 1/2 teaspoon of grated shallot (you may want to consider closing your eyes or wearing goggles). Mix 1/2 teaspoon of grated shallot with 1/2 tablespoon of Dijon mustard and two tablespoons of light mayo. Put in refrigerator until later.

2. Heat olive oil in skillet. Season chicken with the seasonings. Cook chicken in skillet.

3. Chop rest of shallot. Chop Bell pepper. When chicken is halfway cooked add chopped shallot and bell pepper to skillet. Saute to assure the veggies are cooked on all sides. I would recommend cooking until the shallot caramelizes.

4. Chop cucumber...I usually cut into quarters lengthwise and then cut slices, so they look like little triangles. If you are planning on having left overs, scoop out the seeds first. Set to side.

5. Cut Grapes in half. Set to side.

6. When chicken is done, let cool to room temperature.

7. When cool shred chicken. You can do this with two forks, but I would recommend using your hands.

8. Take mayo mixure from fridge and mix with shredded chicken.

9. Add cooked bell pepper and shallot. Mix.

10. About 30 min before serving add, grapes, blueberries, and cucumbers***. Mix. Let stand in the refrigerator.

*There are a lot of ingredients. If you choose to keep it simple I suggest skipping the bell pepper and grapes.

**You could substitute mayo with olive oil.

***If you think you will have left overs it is best to mix the amount you believe you will need. Grapes and cucumbers have a lot of water in them...if left overnight, you will have watery chicken salad, it is a little gross.

****You are responsible for understanding the nutritional and mineral content of the food you consume. Not me, which is why it is not posted. I do not claim that any of the recipes in this blog necessarily meet the renal diet restrictions. I am NOT a certified dietitian.