Braised BBQ Celery

As a plant-based person, I am proud to say that I am no longer scared of starches and carbohydrates. I eat white and sweet potatoes and brown rice and pasta and all things carbs and enjoy them to the fullest. If you're still scared of carbohydrates, you should obtain a copy of The Starch Solution by Dr. John McDougall - his tag line is "the more rice, corn, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and beans you eat, the trimmer and healthier you will be!" .... So eat those awesome starchy potatoes folks. One extremely important thing to remember is that Baked Potato Skins are not a health food and neither is a  baked potato smothered in butter, sour cream and bacon bits. I'm always on the lookout for interesting new toppings for my baked potato - toppings that are high on flavor and contain no added fat. I love plain old Salsa on my potato and in Steakhouses, will often ask for a baked potato with a side of salsa, or even A1 Steak Sauce. Yum! Today's recipe is another baked potato topping that you will fall in love with!

Braised Celery Smothered Baked Potato

Prep Time: 5 min 

Ingredients (2 Servings): 

1. 3-4 stalks of celery (~2 cups)
2. 1 tbsp Minced Garlic
3. 1 tbsp Minced (Dried) Onion
4. 4 tbsp Stubb's Original BBQ Sauce
5. Salt & Pepper, to taste

Directions:

Dice celery coarsely and set aside. Line a skillet, on medium heat, with a thin layer of water and add minced garlic and dried onion. As the garlic releases its aroma, add celery. Give it all a quick toss and then allow the celery and onions and garlic to caramelize just slightly as it sits in the skillet (2 min or so). Add a splash of water, add BBQ sauce and mix everything together. Turn heat to medium low, simmer for another couple of minutes and then serve hot, over a baked potato, with freshly cracked black pepper, and salt (to taste).  

Braised Celery Smothered Baked Potato

My Assessment: Brilliant!! I enjoyed the sweetness and moisture of BBQ sauce over the somewhat dry texture of the potato. Mixed with the crunch and flavor of celery .. awesome combination!

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving): Calories 64 (Fat Calories 2)
Total Fat 0.2 g; Carbohydrates 13.9 g; Dietary Fiber 2.0 g; Sugars 6.2 g; Protein 1.1 g