Immerse yourself in ital cuisine
When we stretch ourselves beyond the foods and eating styles we are used to, it makes us more open to trying and enjoying new, fresh and flavourful foods.
LET’S TAKE a culinary adventure down ital road, it’s not only eye-opening, but is incredibly fun and versatile.
Ital food is unprocessed, whole, salt-free, vegetarian or vegan. Cooking and eating this way contributes to energy, detoxification, nourishment and (surprise!) a lot of flavour. Unfortunately, through mass marketing, much of society has subconsciously swallowed this idea that highly processed food filled with salt, grease and sugar are more tasty and appealing than natural, whole dishes.
Harnessing the natural flavours of fresh vegetables, fruits, grains, and legumes can completely enliven your taste buds and experience different kinds of tang. When we stretch ourselves beyond the foods and eating styles we are used to, it makes us more open to trying and enjoying new, fresh and flavourful foods.
EMBRACING ITAL
You may think that salt is what makes a dish delicious, but embracing ital cooking might just change your mind.
I eat unprocessed, whole, fresh, plant-based foods and occasionally I travel down ital road. Specifically, removing salt from my dishes in order to renew my appreciation for natural flavours. On my ital journeys over the years, I’ve developed and grown to love some really delicious recipes.
I’d love to share with you one of my all-time favourite — my Ital Power Bowl — it’s super easy and quick to make.
This one-pot dish combines juicy mushrooms and tomatoes, crunchy bell peppers, onions and garlic, which are stewed in a smoky, seafood-inspired spice blend. It’s then combined with hearty brown rice and garnished with fresh herbs.
I hope you give this recipe a try. Feel free to get creative and make the recipe fully suit and excite your taste buds. You’ll find the recipe below.
INGREDIENTS
1-2tbsp coconut oil 1 cup yellow onion, chopped 4 cloves garlic, sliced 2tsp fresh thyme 3 cups gourmet mushrooms of your choice 2 cups red bell peppers, chopped 1 cup roma tomatoes, rough chopped
SEASONING BLEND
1 ttbsp garlic powder 1tbsp dulse flakes 1tbsp smoked paprika 2 vegan bullion cubes, salt-free 1 cup vegetable broth
¼ cup parsley, chopped plus more for garnish
METHOD
1. Add coconut oil to heated pan, and sauté yellow onions in heated
pan for about one minute. 2. Combine garlic and sauté another minute. 3. Add fresh thyme, mix and sauté another minute. 4. Add mushrooms and 1/2 the spice blend. Let mushrooms cook for about five minutes, then add bullion cubes and vegetable broth. Simmer until flavours meld. 5. Add bell peppers and tomatoes, warm through stew for a few minutes. 6. Stir in cooked brown rice and mix thoroughly. Add 1/2 of the fresh parsley and mix. 7. Serve, topped with remaining fresh parsley.
Enjoy.