RECIPE: Lemon

Cooking healthy doesn’t have to be complicated, especially when you begin with the right techniques and ingredients – and a great place to start is The Green Grocer in Portsmouth. Owners John Wood and Aly Marks-Wood are avid nutrition enthusiasts, stocking only foods without nitrates, GMOs, high-fructose corn syrup, artificial ingredients, and factory-farmed animals, plus they source their products from local vendors whenever possible. Stock up on goods from The Green Grocer or your favorite neighborhood health market to make this classic dish with a healthy twist. Traditionally, lemon chicken is pan-seared and incorporates butter and dairy, but in this recipe, the chicken is slowcooked in a light lemony gravy and can be served with a variety of nutritious sides. It’s one of those set-it-and-forget-it dinners you’ll want to add to your cooking repertoire for its phenomenal flavor and ease of preparing.

Crockpot Lemon Chicken

INGREDIENTS

• 2 pounds of boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts • ½ Tbsp organic garlic powder • ½ Tbsp organic onion powder • 1 large onion, peeled and sliced • 1½ cups low-sodium chicken broth • ½ cup fresh squeezed lemon juice (about 2 lemons) • Fresh-cracked black pepper • ½ tsp table salt, plus more to taste • 4 Tbsp arrowroot flour (can substitute cornstarch) • 2 Tbsp capers

STEPS

1. Place the chicken thighs (or breasts) in the bottom of a slow cooker. Sprinkle all over with onion powder, garlic powder, and fresh-cracked black pepper. Top with sliced onion. 2. Pour in chicken broth, salt, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. 3. Slow cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-6 hours. 4. About a half an hour before it’s supposed to finish cooking, transfer about a half cup of liquid from the crockpot into a bowl. Add the arrowroot (or cornstarch) to the bowl and mix until fully dissolved. Pour the mixture back into the crockpot and mix until well combined with the liquid. 5. Sprinkle with capers and continue to cook another half hour until the gravy has thickened and the chicken is cooked to 165ºF. Taste test, and season with salt (about a half teaspoon) and black pepper as needed. 6. Serve over a healthy side, such as barley, farro, or brown rice, and a side vegetable like broccoli, green beans, or asparagus.

For more tips and recipes, visit RecipeHippie.com

Guilt-Free Pleasures

Ten eateries serving up light yet delicious bites and brews

By Patty J

Gone are the days of depriving ourselves every January in the name of dropping a few of those pounds we put on over the holidays (no regrets!). If you’re searching for some lighter fare this month and don’t want to skimp on taste and feeling satisfied, allow me to introduce you to these local eateries with lean but luscious eats on the menu.

Alaina’s Guac N Roll

Doubling as a coffee and breakfast sandwich cafe and taco spot, Alaina’s has a delicious selection of light bites. Their build-your-own Guac and Toast is a must try, along with anything with cauliflower rice (my personal favorite)! Watch for acai bowls in fruity flavors, too. Richmond, GuacNRollRI.com

Apothica Cafe

Formerly Blackstone Coffee Bar, this apothecary-inspired plant-based cafe serves up Super Boost Lattes (like the Morning Ritual with ashwagandha, an herb promoting stress relief) for that little extra pep in your step. How about a Garden Delight Sandwich with herb spread? Cumberland, ApothicaHerbs.com

Auntie’s Kitchen

This cozy organic restaurant is an ideal destination for their bowl selection alone (including breakfast varieties, hot and cold bowls, and salads), and their house-made soups are not to be missed. Get creative with build-your-own sandwiches, which include both vegan and meat-lover ingredients. Wakefield, AuntiesKitchenRI.com

Blue Kangaroo Cafe

Ask anyone in the East Bay for their local faves and I’m sure Blue Kangaroo is on their list. This cheery deli earns high marks for their veggie wraps, soups, and salads. Wash it down with a cuppa Nitro Brew iced coffee or a nutritious Peachy Lean fruit smoothie. Barrington, BlueKangarooRI.com

Caf Bar

Nestled next to Rarities Books & Bindery on Main Street, this sweet little full-service coffee bar also prepares crunchy salads, delectable avocado toast, and substantial smoothies. From atmosphere to tasty bites, there’s so many reasons to add them to your January rotation. Wakefield, CafBarRI.com

L’Artisan Cafe & Bakery

This Euro-inspired offers all kinds of prepared foods, including wraps (tuna and chicken for starters) and refreshing salads. Add a cup of their soup of the day (is there anything better on a freezing cold day?) and you have a midday feast that won’t derail your New Year’s resolutions. Providence, LArtisan-Cafe.com

Nana’s

This bakery and cafe opened in spring of 2022 and quickly became one of my obsessions. Their egg sandwiches are dynamite and available with a side of greens. Sourdough crust pizza topped with salad is truly a mouth-watering spin on “health food” if you ask me. Westerly, NanasRI.com

Plant City X

A spinoff of Providence’s Plant City vegan food hall, these scaled-down versions with drive-up ordering and pick-up windows have incredible salads, smoothies (I’m partial to the green Tropical one), and meatless burgers. I’ve motored over countless times for a satisfying nibble. Warwick & Middletown, PlantCityX.com

Rachel’s Cafe

This wife and husband-owned restaurant has a multitude of dishes (acai bowls, egg white omelets, and avocado toast) for the health conscious. If you’re hungry for a salad, they have five amazing ones, including their signature one, a mix of romaine, fruit, and goat cheese. South Kingstown, RachelsCafeRI.com

Shayna’s Place

This darling cafe in the heart of historic Wickford Village gets high marks for their made-toorder juices and smoothies and their vegetarian Peace Train Sandwich (with sprouts, tomatoes, cucumbers, cheese, and sriracha mayo on multigrain bread). You’ll wonder how you lived without them. Wickford, ShaynasPlaceRI.com