Alkaline Roasted Red Pepper Spaghetti Squash
Calling all “Low-Carb Lovers!” I’m definitely not in that club lol. I love pasta, rice, and everything with the word “bread” included. I could literally eat rice everyday, but I know that’s not ideal and I have to eat something else. That’s why I love spaghetti squash. It’s filling, full of nutrients, and a healthy alternative to feed my rice and pasta fix. Not only is this a healthy recipe – it’s alkaline.
For foods to be alkaline, they must fall above a 7 on the pH scale. You’re probably wondering, “What is alkaline and why does it matter?” Well, the alkaline diet is a diet that can help improve your health, help you lose weight, and has been known to kill cancer cells. The body’s acid level can be tracked by a pH scale, ranging from 0-14, with acidic foods falling below 7 and alkaline foods being any level above 7. Studies have shown that by consuming more alkaline foods, health conditions can improve in the body. An alkaline diet consists of a plant-based diet full of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans/lentils, and nuts and seeds, while cutting back on meat, processed food and alcohol.
Now, something you should keep in mind is that every vegetable, fruit, or nut and seed are not created equal. Do your research to find out what foods are more alkaline than acidic and focus on incorporating more of those into your diet. Don’t know where to get started? There are many resources you can use to get started on your alkaline journey including articles (like this one) and books. The Alkaline Reset Cleanse is a good place to start.
Now, let’s talk about Dr. Sebi. If you haven’t heard of him, Dr. Sebi was a Honduran herbalist and healer who cured many diseases with a combination of herbs and a strict alkaline vegan diet. Dr. Sebi created an African Bio-Mineral Therapy Program that focused on removing mucus from the body, which he believed is the root to all diseases. Some say Dr. Sebi was a complete quack and never cured anything or anybody, but some say he has cured AIDS, cancer, herpes, and a host of other diseases with his programs. Some celebrities that have been linked to Dr. Sebi are Lisa “LeftEye” Lopez, Eddie Murphy, Michael Jackson, and Sylvester Stallone. Dr. Sebi started the USHA center to treat his patients which is now in Honduras and still open and active. His products can also be found online and have some rave reviews. Dr. Sebi died in 2016 while in police custody being transported to a hospital for pneumonia. There are so many controversies around Dr. Sebi and his approach to curing the body, but you can be the judge yourself by trying it out.
Now, on to the recipe. This spaghetti squash with red pepper sauce is inspired by Dr. Sebi’s nutritional guide and the foods that are approved on the Bio-Mineral Therapy program. Although is diet is more restrict than a plant based diet, I want to incorporate more recipes for people on all walks of this journey and how they can make their food healthy and taste good too! The Brazil nuts in the sauce create a really creamy consistency and are high in selenium. Selenium is good for thyroid function and can aid in preventing heart issues. In order to get your daily intake of selenium, all you need are two Brazil nuts and that should cover it. The spaghetti squash is a great alternative to pasta as it is low in carbs and high in fiber. Pepper are approved on the nutritional guide, so roasting one red bell pepper will give your pasta sauce a smoky taste that looks similar to a vodka sauce. I also added a little cayenne pepper because I love heat!
Let’s talk about these mushrooms. Nameko mushrooms were something I hadn’t seen before. I saw them at the farmer’s market and decided to try them out. The vendor told me that they were mostly used in soups and ramen and had a gelatinous texture. That kind of weirded me out, but I was curious anyway. I did some research when I got home and found out that they were also high in selenium offering antioxidant, anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties. They also consist of something called Ergothioneine, which is a potent antioxidant that offers protection from free radicals as well as boost the immune system. When I cooked them they had almost a slimy texture, but this minimized after sautéing them. I then mixed them into the sauce on a low simmer so they could get all of that good saucy flavor.
Mushrooms are a good substitute for meat, so I think it’s good to try out different types of mushrooms to see which ones you like best for your diet. Of course you don’t have to have Nameko mushrooms for this recipe and any cremini, portabello, or oyster mushroom will do, but I always want to share what I find and how creative you can get with your recipes. I hope you try this and love it.
Roasted Red Pepper Spaghetti Squash
Ingredients
- 1 Large Spaghetti Squash
- 1 Roasted Red Pepper The ones in the jar are fine for the sake of time
- 1 cup Brazil nuts
- 1-2 cups Mushrooms (any kind)
- 1/2 Of a Sweet or Yellow Onion
- 1 1/2 cups Spring Water (If alkaline)
- 1 Tbsp Sweet Basil
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- 1 tsp Cayenne Pepper (optional)
- TT Salt and Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven for 400°F.
- Cut spaghetti squash in half (long way) and remove the seeds.
- Brush the insides with a small amount of avocado oil and sprinkle salt and pepper. Do the same with the onion
- Place them open side down on a baking sheet along with onion and bake for 45 minutes until spaghetti squash noodles easily pull apart. Take the onion out halfway through or until it is roasted and translucent.
- While squash is cooking is blend roasted pepper, Brazil nuts, water adn spices until smooth. Set aside.
- Saute' mushrooms in a skillet and add sauce to skillet and simmer for 10 minutes.
- When squash is almost done, remove from oven and fork out all squash
- Add squash to sauce and simmer for 5 more minutes
- Garnish with more basil.
