Recipes and tips to help you Nourish to Flourish

March is Nutrition Month and this year’s theme is ‘Nourish to Flourish’! Registered dietitian Michelle Jaelin shared two recipes that play a role in connecting us to our families, traditions and cultures, which helps us thrive.

Barley Egg Fried Rice with Chickpeas Recipe

Ingredients
2 cups (500 mL) cooked barley
2 Tbsps (30 mL) cooking oil
4 large eggs, whisked
1 cup (250 mL) mixed frozen vegetables
1 can (590 mL) chickpeas
2 green onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp (15 mL) ginger, minced
3 Tbsp (45 mL) low sodium soy sauce
1 Tbsp (15 mL) sesame oil
1 tsp (5 mL) rice vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste

Optional toppings: chopped cilantro, sesame seeds, hot sauce

Instructions
In a large skillet or wok over medium heat, heat 1 Tbsp oil
Add whisked eggs and scramble until just set. Remove eggs and set aside.
In the same skillet, heat remaining oil over medium high heat
Add garlic, ginger and saute until fragrant, about 30 seconds
Stir in mixed vegetables and chickpeas. Cook until vegetables are crisp and chickpeas are toasted, about 3-4 minutes.
Add the cooked barley and cook for 2-3 minutes, letting it get slightly crispy on the edges.
Stir in scrambled eggs and green onions.
In a small bowl, mix the soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice vinegar. Pour the mixture over the barley and stir well to coat everything evenly.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve hot and garnish with sesame seeds or chopped cilantro, if desired

Oatmeal Snack Cake Recipe

Ingredients
1 cup quick cooking oats
1 ¼ cup boiling water
½ cup butter
¾ cup packed brown sugar
½ cup white sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 ½ cups all purpose flour

Instructions
Gather all ingredients.
Pour boiling water over the quick oats and let stand for 20 mins
Preheat oven to 350 F / 175 C. Lightly grease a 9×13″ baking pan
Beat sugars and butter together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until creamy. Beat in eggs, vanilla and add oats and water mixture.
In a separate bowl, combine baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and flour; mix until combined.
Add flour mixture to wet ingredients and mix until combined.
Pour cake batter into prepared pan.
Bake cake in pre-heated oven until a toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean, about 35 mins.