Slow Cooker Pea and Ham Soup

2 Onion
2 Celery Sticks
2 Carrots
1 Ham Hock 1000 gram
2 Potatoes, Medium Size or sweet potato
8 cups Chicken Stock
1 Split Peas 500 Grams) yellow or green


Rinse the split peas well and if you have the time, soak them in water in the fridge overnight.

Discard the water and add to the slow cooker.

Put the ham hock into the pot or slow cooker and cover with chicken stock.

Allow the hock and peas to cook on high for four hours.

Roughly chop the vegetables and add them to the slow cooker.

Turn it onto low, and cook for another four hours or until the peas have melted (stir every few hours) and the hock is starting to fall apart.

Using tongs, remove the ham hock from the slow cooker and remove and discard the skin.

Chop the ham up into chunky pieces and add back to the slowcooker and season to taste.

Source: https://www.stayathomemum.com.au/recipes/slowcooker-pea-and-ham-soup-2/?fbclid=IwAR25r7HiqaUGJl9tBDo_NpAde-Qgy7DYTEkst2OjKW9H9sm__1VUoLkj0SU

Kale Soup ***

Kale Soup

 Serves 4:

Ingredients:

• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 5 cups chicken or bone broth
• 1 medium carrot, diced into 1/4-inch cubes (about 1 cup)
• 1 cup diced celery
• 2 red potatoes, diced into 1/2-inch cubes
• 3 cups kale, rinsed, stems removed and chopped very fine
• 2 tsp dried thyme
• 2 tsp dried sage
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Chop garlic and onions and let sit for 5 minutes to bring out their health benefits.
2. Heat 1 TBS broth in a medium soup pot.
3. Sauté onion in broth over medium heat for about 5 minutes stirring frequently.
4. Add garlic and continue to sauté for another minute.
5. Add broth, carrots, and celery and bring to a boil on high heat.
6. Once it comes to a boil reduce heat to a simmer and continue to cook for another 5 minutes. Add potatoes and cook until tender, about 15 more minutes.
7. Add kale and rest of ingredients and cook another 5 minutes. If you want to simmer for a longer time for extra flavor and richness, you may need to add a little more broth.

Source:  Best Super Energy Kale Soup

Moroccan lamb Tagine

Preparation Time: 30 mins      Cooking Time:  4 hours      Serves: 6-8

This recipe originally came from Breville Wok Recipes and I have adapted it for a slow cooker, mainly by adjusting the cooking time from 1 hour to 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low, as the wok setting is quite high.

In the picture to the right, I doubled the recipe, as I had a hungry worker for dinner and found a cheap deal on a kilo of lamb cutlets!  Cooking time was increased again by 1 hour (high) to account for the cheaper cut of meat.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons peanut oil
2 brown onions, diced
500g lamb, diced (1.5cm)
1.5 teaspoons ground cumin
1.5 teaspoons ground black pepper
1.5 teaspoons ground coriander
1.5 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon peanut oil
1 small can chickpeas
2 cans diced tomatoes
2 sticks celery, diced
1.5 cup red lentils
1.5 cup tomato paste
1 teaspoon minced garlic
5 cups water

Method:

1. Heat a pan on high, add the oil and stir fry the onion until soft add the meat and seal.
2. Place all the ground spices and extra oil into
the pan and cook for 2 minutes to release the
flavours of the spices.
3. Add the pan and remaining ingredients to the slow cooker, place the lid on and cook for 4 hours on high.

Serve with steamed cous cous

Gout and Uric Acid

Being an imbiber of Red Wine and Beer, I have suffered gout on more occasions than I would like to admit.


To help alleviate the symptoms of uric acid crystallization in joints (gout),  juice and drink the following once or twice a day:-


– 1 medium-sized cucumber
– 2 ribs of celery
– A slice of lemon
– 1-inch young ginger root


Source:  Natural Cures, Not Medicine

I have also used a  regime of 1/2 - 1  teaspoon of Baking Soda (NaHCO3) in a cup (250ml) of water in the evening and a Tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) either whole or diluted in a cup of water in the morning for both variety and blood alkalizing.  Use ACV also as a salad dressing.

If you are suffering from high blood pressure, Baking Soda may not be suitable for you.

Through out the day, drink 2 - 3 liters of water.

Eat a purine free diet. 

See also "Gout and You" website for other handy hints on purines and gout management.