Chicken Pozole Chili with Cilantro and Lime Avocado Topping
It’s that time of year to introduce those delicious warming soups and chili’s and this is one of my favorite’s, Chicken Pozole Chili- delicious and-yum!!!! We’re talking some incredible nutrition from Omega-3 fatty acids discussed in my last blog and coming from the avocado topping and cilantro used in the dish which I highlight in this blog.
Cilantro is a super herb. Picked fresh and green it looks like parsley imparting a citrus
flavor to foods. Once it gets older and flowers, it produces seeds, the flavor of the leaves intensify and the seeds are what we know as coriander with a myriad of their own health benefits.
Cilantro Benefits
1-Rids the body of Heavy Metals
Arsenic, cadmium, aluminum, lead and mercury can accumulate in our tissues over time leading to heart disease, hormonal imbalances, neurological conditions, infertility and more. Cilantro has been known to bind with these toxic metals and loosen them from tissues enabling them to more readily be eliminated from the body.
(http://www.ncbi.nim.nih.gov/pubmed/19902160). (http://www.ncbi.nim.nih.gov/pubmed/8686573).
2-Protects against Oxidative Stress
Oxidative stress is linked to a miriag=de of degenerative diseases including certain cancers, heart disease, arthritis, Alzheimer’s Disease, macular degeneration, and more.
3- Lowers Anxiety and Improves Sleep
4-Lowers Blood Sugar Levels
5-Prevents Urinary Tract Infections
6-Settles Upset Stomach
7-Protects Against Food Poisoning
Cilantro has natural antibacterial properties.
(http://www.ncbi.nim.nih.gov/pubmed/11929164)
8. Protects Against Cardiovascular Disease
There are many studies but a study published in Food and Chemical Toxicology found that cilantro’s polyphenolic content (protection against cellular damage) and natural cardio-protective nutrients are responsible in preventing the oxidative damage specifically associated with cardiac damage
.(http;//www.ncbi.nim.nih.gov.pubmed/22750725)
9-Prevents Neurological Inflammation
(http://www.ncbi.nim.nih.gov/pubmed/21360003)
10. Protects Against Colon Cancer
11. Supports Menstrual Function
Coriander the seed from cilantro have been noted to help regulate proper endocrine gland function and the hormones that control menstrual cycles.
12. Soothes Skin Irritations
Cilantro has been used internally and externally for hives, sunburn, and poison ivy. This is because cilantro has an anti-histamine component to calm immune system response against allergens.
Recipe: Chicken Pozole Chili
(Cuisine at home Recipes that I found many years ago and give credit to).
Step 1
Combine and Saute for the Chili Sauce-
3 cups chopped tomatoes,2 cups chopped onions, 8 cascabel chilies or 7-8 jalapenos can be substitute, seeds removed and minces, 6 cloves garlic, minced, ¼ cup olive oil, 2 tsp dried oregano ½ t. sea salt
Combine ingredients and sauté for a sauce over medium heat for 10 minutes
Add and Simmer to saute; Puree:
2 6-inch corn tortillas, chopped and 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Add tortillas and broth to sauté and simmer for 20 minutes. Puree in blender.
Step 2
For the Chili-
1-Saute in skillet: Using 2 T. olive oil sauté 2 cups of sliced yellow onion for about 5 minutes.
2-Stir in: 1T. minced garlic, 1 T. chili powder, 2 t. ground cumin, 1 t. ground coriander, 1 t. sea salt, ¼ t. cayenne and cook for 2 minutes.
Step 3
To complete chili:
Add and Simmer:
3 cups low sodium chicken broth, 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken breast, 2 cups cleaned and sliced fine, romaine lettuce, 1 can (15.5oz.) yellow hominy, drained and rinsed and Step ‘s 1 completed Chili Sauce, ½ cup cleaned and chopped cilantro.
Add broth, shredded chicken, lettuce, cilantro, hominy, and chili sauce and simmer for 10 minutes.
Step 4
Avocado topping for individual servings; Yum Yum!!!!!
Combine:
1 ripe avocado, peeled, pitted, diced, ¼ cup scallion, sliced fine, ¼ cup cleaned chopped cilantro, ½ t. sea salt, and juice of ½ a lime.
Garnish individual servings of this delightful Mexican chili with your Avacodo topping for a surprising and delicious twist to your everyday chili chock full of fiber, great faats and terrific cilantro nutrition.
Enjoy!
Chef Sue Clair
The Healthy Gourmet
www.sueclair.com