Using food for both nourishment and medicinal purposes is at the heart of our life on this homestead.
We enjoy taking control of our health and wellness through the plants we grow and forage.
I have started taking part in a weekly Medicinal Gourmet Cooking Collective. Each week we cook according to one of the 5 Elements. This week we are focusing on the water element that supports:
kidneys and bladder
In Chinese medicine the Water element is associated with the colour blue and black, a salty flavour, and the feelings of fear. When the kidneys are not in balance we can support them and restore balance by eating foods that embody these traits.
Some foods that support healthy kidney and liver include: Blueberries and other blue fruits including Blackberries, Blackcurrants & Juniper, Beans and Legumes, Lemon, Lime, Grapes, Plums, Dates, Pomegranate, Aloe Vera, Marjoram, Clove, Liquorice, Nettle, Parsley, Caraway, Rosemary, Walnut, Chestnut, Coconut water, Cashew nuts, Celery, Watercress, Potato, Asparagus, Aubergine, Beetroot, Agar, Seaweed, Kelp, Quinoa, Oats, Pumpkin Seed, Wild Rice, Millet, Soy Sauce, Black Olives and Soybean.
I decided to pair beets and blackberries and wild rice for the lovely blue/black colour that I needed. A blackberry and beetroot stir fry might sound like an odd pairing but you’ll just have to trust me on this one. This recipe was a feast for the eyes and belly. I am so pleased with how it turned out and can’t wait to share it with you.
We gathered sun kissed beets, blackberries and other vegetables from the garden. All this goodness was tossed into our cast iron pan creating a dish filled with drama.
The black wild rice paired with deep red beets, dark blackberries and hints of green felt a bit like plating up a piece of art. It was so dramatic!
This blackberry and beetroot stir fry was a pleasure to feast upon. It is a delight for the eyes not to mention really good for our overall health and wellness. This recipe is also specifically good for supporting healthy kidneys and bladder.
If you would like to see other healthy recipes from this cooking collective you might like our Fire & Heart Gourmet Salad with Fire Cider Vinaigrette.
Wash and chop up all the vegetables and greens meanwhile get your pot of rice cooking. Wild rice can take a while to cook. It takes me about 30 minutes. Heat a skillet or wok add some oil and toss in the onions garlic and ginger and sautée on low for a few minutes. This will infuse the flavours into your oil. Turn up the heat, add the vegetables that need the longest cooking time (beets, green beans, etc) stir and sautée for about 10 minutes. Mix together the soy sauce, honey and vinegar to make a cooking sauce. Add the remaining vegetables, greens and blackberries along with the sauce. Sautée for a few minutes. Serve steaming hot with wild rice and some extra sauce if desired. Enjoy!
Ingredients
Instructions
