Einstein Parrot Veggie Chop
I started making Veggie Parrot Chop after reading a blog post from Parrot Nation. I must give credit to Patricia Sund for this wonderful idea! It has been a real time saver and is so nutritious! Just like mash, I’m sure there are several variations. Each time I make it, it is always different because I’m always adding different vegetables. Here are the basics of what I do.
Before we start... Jeff gives me a ride in the "Chop" bowl! Weeeee!
Einstein's Veggie Chop
Go crazy in the produce area! Buy organic if possible. If not, please wash very, very well with a Veggie Wash product. (I've included a good homemade Veggie Wash recipe below.)
This list of Veggies is just a guide. Use creativity and buy what looks good and what is in season.
2 Sweet Potatoes (I use Garnet Yams, but you can also use butternut squash or pumpkin, just keep the amount to equal about 1 1/2 lbs.)
3 Carrots chopped (With the green tops if you can get them)
3 bunches of fresh greens. (Choose from Swiss chard, dandelion, kale, mustard, turnip, beet greens etc.)
1 bunch cilantro or Italian Parsley
2-3 Jalapeño pepper
1-2 Poblano peppers
1 zucchini or yellow squash
1 red bell pepper
1 yellow bell pepper
Wash all vegetables very well and dry very well. (I use a salad spinner) It is important to have the vegetables as dry as possible.
Prepare 1 recipe of Grain Pilaf. (recipe for Grain Pilaf)
Combine 1 cup Quinoa and 1/2 cup Amaranth in a 9 X 13 pan. Pour 3 cups boiling water, cover tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 30 minutes.
NOTE: I usually prep my grains the night before I make Veggie Chop, they should completely cool in the refrigerator before combining them with the vegetables. (I bake the 2 grain dishes simultaneously. Taking the Quinoa-Amaranth dish out of the oven after 30 minutes and leaving the Grain Pilaf in to cook the entire hour.)
Chop all vegetables in food processor, and place them in a large container. I use a 16” stainless steel bowl, but any large contain will do. Mix them up as you go along.
Add the cooled Grain Pilaf and the Quinoa / Amaranth to the Veggie Chop.
Add 1-2 handful uncooked veggie alphabet pasta and/or 5 Grain rolled Hot Cereal (Bob's Red Mill) This will soak up any liquid in the Veggie Chop.
1-2 handful flax seed
2-3 Tbls. (or more) cracked red pepper flakes.
You may also add what ever else you think your birdie might like for variety. Here are some suggestions: chopped nuts (almonds, pecan, cashew, etc.) pumpkin seed, pine seed, hemp seed, etc.
Package for the freezer.
Makes about 90 – 2 oz. servings
Go crazy in the produce area! Buy organic if possible. If not, please wash very, very well with a Veggie Wash product. (I've included a good homemade Veggie Wash recipe below.)
This list of Veggies is just a guide. Use creativity and buy what looks good and what is in season.
2 Sweet Potatoes (I use Garnet Yams, but you can also use butternut squash or pumpkin, just keep the amount to equal about 1 1/2 lbs.)
3 Carrots chopped (With the green tops if you can get them)
3 bunches of fresh greens. (Choose from Swiss chard, dandelion, kale, mustard, turnip, beet greens etc.)
1 bunch cilantro or Italian Parsley
2-3 Jalapeño pepper
1-2 Poblano peppers
1 zucchini or yellow squash
1 red bell pepper
1 yellow bell pepper
Wash all vegetables very well and dry very well. (I use a salad spinner) It is important to have the vegetables as dry as possible.
Prepare 1 recipe of Grain Pilaf. (recipe for Grain Pilaf)
Combine 1 cup Quinoa and 1/2 cup Amaranth in a 9 X 13 pan. Pour 3 cups boiling water, cover tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 30 minutes.
NOTE: I usually prep my grains the night before I make Veggie Chop, they should completely cool in the refrigerator before combining them with the vegetables. (I bake the 2 grain dishes simultaneously. Taking the Quinoa-Amaranth dish out of the oven after 30 minutes and leaving the Grain Pilaf in to cook the entire hour.)
Chop all vegetables in food processor, and place them in a large container. I use a 16” stainless steel bowl, but any large contain will do. Mix them up as you go along.
Add the cooled Grain Pilaf and the Quinoa / Amaranth to the Veggie Chop.
Add 1-2 handful uncooked veggie alphabet pasta and/or 5 Grain rolled Hot Cereal (Bob's Red Mill) This will soak up any liquid in the Veggie Chop.
1-2 handful flax seed
2-3 Tbls. (or more) cracked red pepper flakes.
You may also add what ever else you think your birdie might like for variety. Here are some suggestions: chopped nuts (almonds, pecan, cashew, etc.) pumpkin seed, pine seed, hemp seed, etc.
Package for the freezer.
Makes about 90 – 2 oz. servings
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Homemade Veggie Wash
Mix the following ingredients in a deep bowl or container. (The solution will fizz while being mixed.)
1 cup water
1 cup vinegar
2 TBS baking soda
2 TBS lemon juice
Pour the solution in to a clean spray bottle. Spritz on fresh produce generously.
Allow solution to sit on produce for 5 minutes then rinse the produce well.
Mix the following ingredients in a deep bowl or container. (The solution will fizz while being mixed.)
1 cup water
1 cup vinegar
2 TBS baking soda
2 TBS lemon juice
Pour the solution in to a clean spray bottle. Spritz on fresh produce generously.
Allow solution to sit on produce for 5 minutes then rinse the produce well.
Open PDF
or Print
S