| As the leaves start to turn to fall colors | | | | pieces * |
| and in the evenings we are tempted to sit by | | | | |
| a warm fire, hearty food comes to mind. The | | | | 3 cloves of garlic, finely minced |
| fall and winter bring a host of root | | | | |
| vegetables, squashes greens and fruit from | | | | 2 cups chicken stock |
| which hearty meals can be easily made. The | | | | |
| challenge is to keep these dishes healthy - | | | | 2 cups white wine or dry vermouth |
| that means keeping them as alkaline as | | | | |
| possible. | | | | 2 sprigs of thyme or ½ tsp. dried |
| | | | |
| When attempting to reverse the symptoms of | | | | 1 tbsp. parsley, chopped |
| acid reflux, diet is probably the most | | | | |
| important consideration. That old cliché, | | | | Pat chicken dry and season with salt and |
| "You are what you eat", has never been more | | | | pepper. Dredge in flour and set aside. |
| true. If you eat food and drink beverages | | | | |
| which are acidic in nature, then it follows, | | | | Heat a heavy skillet to medium high and add |
| that you will be acidic in nature, as well. | | | | enough olive oil to coat well |
| If you eat a diet which mainly consists of so | | | | |
| called "convenience food", you don't stand a | | | | Brown chicken pieces skin side down and turn |
| chance of being alkaline. | | | | over in about 7 minutes (This can be done in |
| | | | two batches, if necessary) |
| In order to defeat the acid reflux condition, | | | | |
| one must strive to correct the pH factor of | | | | Transfer browned chicken to a plate and cover |
| the body. 7.5 pH is the ideal alkaline body | | | | to keep warm |
| level. You can test the pH level of your | | | | |
| saliva with pH paper, which can be purchased | | | | Pour off all but 2 tbsp. of the fat and lower |
| at any pharmacy. Some medical authorities | | | | heat to medium low |
| claim that all illness, including cancer, | | | | |
| cannot exist in an alkaline environment. If | | | | Add onions and cook covered, stirring |
| that is true, it is certainly food for | | | | occasionally until soft and lightly golden |
| thought! | | | | |
| | | | Add turnips and garlic and cook uncovered for |
| It is important to remember that the acid | | | | five minutes stirring occasionally to keep |
| reflux condition could not perpetuate itself | | | | onions from burning |
| without a damaged esophagus. In order to | | | | |
| heal this affliction, the esophagus must be | | | | Return browned chicken to skillet and mix |
| allowed to repair. This can be accomplished | | | | with vegetables to coat both sides, arranging |
| by eliminating food and drink that are | | | | chicken skin side up |
| irritants and, or acidic. Avoiding anything | | | | |
| which relaxes the LES (lower esophageal | | | | Pour stock and wine over chicken mixture |
| sphincter) is another important | | | | |
| consideration. The LES is the muscular valve | | | | Sprinkle with thyme |
| which separates the esophagus and the | | | | |
| stomach. It is when this valve relaxes, that | | | | Cover and lower heat to gently simmer until |
| acid and pepsin splash up from the stomach | | | | chicken is cooked through and turnips are |
| into the esophagus and throat, causing acid | | | | tender, about 30 to 40 minutes |
| reflux. | | | | |
| | | | Transfer chicken and vegetables onto a |
| The hydrochloric acid in the stomach has been | | | | serving dish |
| compared in strength, to the acid in a car | | | | |
| battery. With acid reflux, the constant | | | | Reduce sauce over high heat, if needed, to |
| assault of acid causes little lacerations to | | | | thicken |
| develop on the lining of the esophagus. | | | | |
| Until these lacerations have had a chance to | | | | Season sauce with salt and pepper to taste |
| heal, spicy foods, such as acidic tomato | | | | and pour over chicken and vegetables |
| products, hot peppers, raw garlic and raw | | | | |
| onions should also be eliminated from the | | | | Sprinkle with parsley |
| diet. They just further irritate the | | | | |
| condition. Smoking, drinking alcohol and | | | | *Parsnips may be substituted for the turnips, |
| eating chocolate also relax the LES, thus | | | | or a mixture of the two. |
| impeding the healing process. | | | | |
| | | | CREAMY NEW ENGLAND STYLE OYSTER STEW |
| The key to acid reflux recovery is to eat | | | | |
| alkaline, easy to digest nourishing food | | | | I have heard rumors that oysters are a bit |
| until the esophagus has healed. Eating | | | | acidic; however, they have never given me |
| early, allowing at least three hours before | | | | indigestion. I confess that this is a rather |
| lying down is an essential habit to develop. | | | | rich dish, but a small serving will give you |
| Eating slowly and chewing food completely in | | | | more pleasure than pain. One has to spoil |
| a relaxed, pleasant and stress free | | | | themselves occasionally. |
| environment is of paramount importance, as | | | | |
| well. | | | | 1 ½ tbsps. unsalted butter |
| | | | |
| I have listed a few of my favorite hearty | | | | I dozen freshly opened oysters (or the |
| fall and winter recipes that I enjoyed during | | | | freshest you can find) with liquid |
| my own recovery period. Cooking meat, | | | | |
| vegetables, fruit and shellfish in liquids | | | | 1/8 tsp. celery salt |
| produce delicious dishes which can be made | | | | |
| quickly and easily. I have employed a | | | | 1 ½ ounces sherry |
| technique called "braising" for the main dish | | | | |
| below. It is one of my favorite cooking | | | | Splash of Worcestershire sauce to taste |
| methods, because it concentrates flavor in a | | | | |
| one pot dinner. I have also included a | | | | Cayenne pepper |
| seasonal soup starter and a special desert to | | | | |
| complete the perfect cold weather dinner. | | | | 1 ½ cups whole milk with a little cream |
| | | | added |
| Try doubling the main dish and desert recipes | | | | |
| so that you can have them later in the | | | | Chives, chopped |
| week.....less time in the kitchen. Remember, | | | | |
| that cooking from scratch instead of relying | | | | Oyster crackers |
| on convenience foods is a better approach to | | | | |
| good health, in general. It's also nice to | | | | Into a double boiler place butter, oysters |
| know what you're really eating. | | | | with liquid, celery salt, sherry and |
| | | | Worcestershire sauce (water in the bottom pan |
| I hope that you enjoy the following seasonal | | | | should not touch the top pan) |
| recipes. Even though I have cured myself of | | | | |
| acid reflux, I still serve these wonderful | | | | With a wooden spoon, stir until the oysters |
| hearty dishes on a regular basis. The entire | | | | are just curling on the edges (do not |
| family should enjoy these, too. Well, the | | | | overcook), about a minute |
| children might not like the oysters, but you | | | | |
| certainly will. This menu is great for | | | | Pour in milk mixture and continue stirring |
| entertaining, as the main and last courses | | | | |
| are made in advance and the first course is a | | | | Remove from heat just before the boil and |
| breeze. For those of you who live in warmer | | | | serve immediately |
| climes, remember that winter is a state of | | | | |
| mind. | | | | Sprinkle each serving with a little cayenne |
| | | | pepper |
| Bon appetite! | | | | |
| | | | Garnish with chives |
| BRAISED CHICKEN WITH TURNIPS AND ONIONS | | | | |
| | | | Offer oyster crackers on the side |
| This is a rustic country-style dinner dish | | | | |
| which truly embodies the concept of "Comfort | | | | POACHED ANJOU PEARS IN RED WINE |
| Food". Unlike thick cuts of meat, braising | | | | |
| chicken takes a fraction of the time and the | | | | You have to plan a little ahead for this |
| chicken absorbs all the flavors of the | | | | dish. The pears should be ripe, but still |
| vegetables and liquids. Mashed potatoes are | | | | springy to the touch. Buy them a week ahead |
| a perfect accompaniment. This is a serving | | | | and place in a paper bag with a banana. |
| for four and requires about an hour to | | | | Don't ask me why, but this works. Choose |
| prepare. | | | | pears with the stem in tact. |
| | | | |
| 1 (3 ½ lb.) chicken, cut into 8 serving | | | | 8 smallish red Anjou pears |
| pieces | | | | |
| | | | Juice of one lemon |
| ½ cup flour for dredging | | | | |
| | | | 1 cup extra fine granulated sugar |
| Olive oil | | | | |
| | | | 2 cups red wine |
| 2 medium sweet onions roughly chopped | | | | |
| | | | ¼ tsp. |
| 4 medium turnips peeled and sliced into ½" | | | | |