There’s a very clear message that can be found in the pages of A Caregivers Guide: Cooking for Palliative Care and the Family, a cookbook created through a collaboration between George Brown College and Hospice Niagara. Simply, food is love.
The recipes provided have been designed to meet the needs of caregivers, palliative patients and their families, but it goes further. “It’s important that loved ones continue to be a part of the family dynamic,” says Tricia Ryan, director food innovation & research studio (FIRSt) with George Brown College. Those facing ongoing health issues need to always have a spot at the kitchen table and a chance to eat together.
Each recipe has been designed to include more protein and fibre, and leaves out ingredients that may be contraindicated by medications. And as Peter Engel, chef, Hospice Niagara, wrote in the introduction to the book: “This isn’t health food, but this also isn’t ‘sick food.’ This is food that can be created easily by caregivers, but enjoyed by all.”
The recipe book was made possible by the generous sponsorship from the Helderleigh Foundation and collaboration between George Brown College and Hospice Niagara. It was released in spring 2018 and can be downloaded free of charge at Hospice Niagara.
To whet your appetite, check out these easy, delicious recipes meant to be shared.
Sausage and Broccoli Frittata
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 1 hour
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
1 tsp (5 mL) olive oil
2 sausages
1 cup (250 mL) onion, chopped
6 eggs
1⁄4 cup (60 mL) chives, chopped
1⁄3 cup (80 mL) mozzarella, shredded
1⁄4 cup (60 mL) milk
1 potato, grated
1 cup (250 mL) broccoli, finely chopped
1⁄4 tsp (1 mL) black pepper
As needed, cooking spray
Method:
- Preheat oven to 375 ̊F (190 ̊C) and spray 8 in. x 8 in. baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside. 2. In a frying pan, heat oil over medium heat. Remove raw sausage from casing and cook until nicely browned.
- Add onions and cook until onions are softened. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, chives, mozzarella cheese, milk, grated potato, broccoli and black pepper. Add the cooled sausage and onions, stir to combine and pour into prepared dish.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes or until the middle of frittata is set.
Honey Lemon Loaf
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
Servings: 12
Ingredients:
1 1⁄2 cup (375 mL) flour
1⁄4 tsp (1 mL) baking soda
1⁄2 tsp (2 mL) baking powder
Pinch salt
2 eggs
1⁄2 cup (125 mL) honey
1⁄3 cup (80 mL) butter melted
1⁄4 cup (60 mL) milk
2 tsp (10 mL) vanilla extract
1 lemon, juice and zest
Method:
- Preheat oven to 375 ̊F (180 ̊C). Line loaf pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large bowl combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl whisk eggs, honey, melted butter, milk, vanilla, lemon juice and zest until well incorporated.
- Fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients until just combined. Do not over mix.
- Pour batter into lined pan and bake for 35- 40 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.
