“Organic Cornbread Casserole with Chayote”

Here is an easy to make and very hearty meal that’s full of nutrient rich foods that will do the body good. On a cold winter day this cornbread casserole is sure to please because everyone loves cornbread… and the filling is very tasty.

Ingredients for Filling:

3 - Large Chayote’s - Skins and seeds Removed, Cubed, and Boiled Until Just Tender— (chayote has very little flavor, but it picks up the flavor of all the spices in the filling and chayote is very low in calories)
2 - Cups of Organic Veggie Protein Crumbs
3 - Cups of Cooked Organic Brown Rice
1 - Tablespoon of Organic Tomato Paste
4 - Tablespoons of Organic Mexican Chili Powder or Seasoning Mix - Low Sodium
1 - Large Organic Onion Chopped
12 - Cloves of Organic Garlic Minced
6 - Tablespoons Organic Olive Oilr
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Ingredients for Cornbread Topping:

2 - Cups of Organic Cornmeal
1 - Cup of Organic Gluten Free Pizza Mix - or any Gluten Free Flour Will Work
2 - Teaspoons of Organic Aluminum Free Baking Powder
1/3 - Cup of Organic Olive Oil
4 - Tablespoons of Organic Agave Nectar or Honey
2 - Cups of Any Kind of Organic Nut Milk - Rice Milk, Almond Milk, etc.
2 - Teaspoons of Organic White Vinegar
1/2 - Teaspoon Salt

Filling - Take the onion and garlic and brown them in a the olive oil and then add veggie protein crumbs and tomato paste, plus brown rice and chili powder, and mix well until everything has that nice red color— may need to add a tablespoon or 2 of water if the filling becomes too dry. And then fill the bottom of a 9 inch round cast iron skillet with the mixture, or any other oven proof pan will work. Spread the mixture out well and set aside while the cornbread topping is made.

Topping - Mix all the cornbread ingredients together, then pour the cornbread mixture over the filling mixture. Place the pan in a preheated 350 degree oven for 35 minutes or until the cornbread is lightly brown and a toothpick comes out clean.

Remove the pan from the oven and allow to cool and then slice.

This recipe makes 6 servings.

Health Benefits of Organic Brown Rice

Brown Rice compared to White Rice has lots of health benefits. Brown Rice is full of Thiamine, Niacin, Pyridoxine, Vitamin K, Calcium, Iron, Phosphorus, and Potassium. Brown Rice is rich in fiber, controls blood sugar and cholesterol, and works wonders for ulcers and diarrhea. Plus if a person is debilitated brown rice is very easy to digest and contains needed nutrients for growth of bones, muscles, nails, hair, and teeth. And Soaking Brown Rice in water for 30 minutes prior to cooking allows it to cook much faster.

Health Benefits of Organic Garlic

Garlic contains allicin which in double blind studies has been shown to cut your probability of coming down with a cold or flu by 50%. But allicin must be taken in it’s natural form as fresh garlic. Garlic has been shown to lower blood pressure and manage blood pressure for long periods of time. Garlic has the ability to help us use iron more effectively, so if you are low in iron and taking an iron supplement also take Garlic. Garlic can help prevent the accumulation of fats in the liver. Garlic increases bile flow from the gallbladder thus it helps to prevent gallstones and congestion of the liver. Garlic has been shown to heal away plaques in arteries… and thus help to improve cardiovascular disease, stokes, and other diseases.

Garlic has lots of research showing that it can lower bad cholesterol (LDL Cholesterol) and triglycerides. Also helps to increase good cholesterol (HDL Cholesterol) and thus helps to prevent heart attacks and stokes. Garlic has lots of B Vitamins, A and C Vitamins and zinc to boost your immune system and lots of other trace minerals such as iron and copper for anemia, selenium for prostate health, calcium and phosphorus for strong bones, and tryptophan for helping you to get a good nights rest.

Garlic is a good antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral agent making it great for preventing and curing all kinds of disease processes. One of the best all around preventatives for disease on the planet. And Garlic Tea is great… and it makes a wonderful tea for healing colds and flues. Garlic also contains diallyl sulphide, quercetin, nitrosamine, aflatoxin, allin, ajoene, and more great antioxidants that slow the ageing process and protect your DNA.

If you take fresh raw garlic and cut it up and swallow it with honey, it can help sooth away your gas, stomachache, and indigestion. Garlic helps to break up clots in the body, and thus helps to prevent cardiovascular events. If you come down with tonsillitis often then eating fresh garlic can help heal your affliction. In studies it has been shown that garlic helps with fat metabolism… and thus helps you to lose weight. Garlic is a very good blood thinning agent and works just about as well as aspirin, and it also helps keep blood and platelets from sticking together… thus preventing heart attacks. Mashing cloves of Garlic and adding it to water… and gargling with it will sooth away sore throats. And Garlic is a powerful anti-inflammatory making great for getting rid of pain, swelling, and redness.

Enjoy this Very Tasty Meal

Dr. Paul Haider - Master Herbalist