HU Kitchen

In my quest to maintain a healthy and fit lifestyle I have really learned how to cook and feed myself. Never sure where my food comes from or what is being put into it I eat out infrequently and save it for special occasions. Having had a little experience working in kitchens I quickly learned the way to make food taste good was to add salt and fat. I am not afraid of fat, but the fats I am talking about are not high quality health promoting fats.

I then discovered HU kitchen. HU is short for Human. And its philosophy is based on a preindustrial way of eating. i.e. unprocessed, clean, quality ingredients. Hu resides on 5th Avenue between 13th and 14th streets in an sleek and airy modern space.  Upon my first visit I was a excited but a little overwhelmed with all my options. A juice/smoothie bar, mash bar, prepared foods, prepackaged foods and a cafeteria style hot plate counter. There is truly something for everyone!

HU could not have come into my life at a better time. Recently cutting out dairy and gluten, being the dead of winter, and totally uninspired in my own kitchen. HU was a breath of fresh air. Being able to order anything on the menu without a second thought is not my norm when eating out. I love knowing my food is well sourced and prepared with care and integrity. 

Everything I have ordered is fantastic! The HU Bowls, rotisserie chicken, creamy coconutty cauliflower puree, pineapple with cashew cream... I also love the cold prepared foods. The stuffed portabellos and acorn squash being my favorites.  I am quickly making my way through the menu. 

HU Bowl: Rustic Root Mash topped with Magic Mushrooms and Miso Chicken with a Side of Rotisserie Pineapple with Cashew Cream 

This past weekend I experienced my first Brunch at HU! I ordered  the scrambled eggs with sweet potato hash, house made ketchup and an ice coffee with coconut milk. The hash was sweet and savory, the perfect complement to the soft scrambled eggs. My friend had the Jordy Cakes topped with cashew cream and organic maple syrup. It was such a treat to leave brunch satisfied and energized instead of wanting to take a nap.

Grain Free Jordy Cakes

HU has become my haven from the busy streets of NYC. A casual destination I go to meet friends or have a quiet meal alone. Where I can nourish and fuel my body. Thank HU :)


HU Kitchen
http://hukitchen.com
78 5th Avenue
New York, NY 10011
PH 212-510-8919

Paleo Project... and YES more sweet potatoes!

For the last few months I have been experiementing with eating a Paleo diet with the exception of my Sunwarrior Protein powders and maybe few minor indulgences. A diet consisting of high quality animal protein, vegetables, fruits and nuts. Basically eliminating dairy, gluten, sugar, grains, legumes and all processed foods. Not much different from my usual way of eating. The only major change for me was cutting back on my sushi and my ezekial. Well regardless, I do feel great eating this way . Sweet potatoes have become my main source of carboyhydrates. And alot of fat! Nuts, coconut butter, avocado. I just can't seem to get enough fat!

sweet potato with almond butter and cinnamon

So basically I am addicted to sweet potatoes with nut butter. My new daily obsession is a healthy pairing of a baked sweet potato straight from the fridge topped with homemade almond butter and plenty of cinnamon. Could not be more simple or more delicious!

I recently purchased some Japanese Sweet potatoes at the Union Square Farmers market. They are a bit drier and starchier than a regular sweet potato and taste of chestnuts and honey. They are absolutely divine!!! I paired this one with my macadamia/cashew butter and of course more cinnamon.

japanese sweet potato with macadamia/cashew butter and cinnamon

Raw Macadamia Cashew Butter

1 cup raw, unsalted macadamia nuts
1 cup raw, unsalted cashew nuts

Add macadamia and cashew nuts to your food processor. Process for about five minutes. The first minute or so the texture will be a bit sandy but as the oils release from the nuts it will transform into a creamy butter. Scrape down the sides if necessary. Store in a jar or airtight container in the refrigerator. 

Red Velvet Protein Juice

I can't take credit for this juice (view video below)  but it is too delicious to keep to myself. This juice literally taste like red velvet cake batter! I am a huge fan of sunwarrior products and this blend is an amazing way to get more protein and vegetables into your diet. And did I mention it taste like cake?!


Red Velvet Protein Juice

1 beet
1 cucumber
3 heaping tablespoons Sunwarrior chocolate protein powder

Juice the beet and cucumber. Add juice and sunwarrior protein to a blender and mix for a few seconds.

Check out Drew Canole's tutorial video on making this juice 

http://www.sunwarrior.com/news/drew-canole-red-velvet-protein-juice-raw-food-recipe/

Strawberry Chip Smoothie

This smoothie was originally inspired by a banana split but turned out tasting just like a strawberry chip milkshake. Yummy! The cocoa nibs are added in towards the end of blending and pulsed to leave a crunch!

Strawberry Chip Smoothie

1 frozen banana
5 frozen strawberries
1 heaping scoop Sunwarrior Vanilla Warrior Blend
1 cup almond milk
2 TBSP cocoa nibs

Place all the ingredients except the cocoa nibs in a  high powered blender and blend well. Add the cocoa nibs and pulse a few times. Voila!

One HOT Potato!

I know I have been on a major sweet potato kick but it is the dead of winter and this one was just too good not to share! Inspired by @fitnessgall, one of my favorite people to follow on instagram. Fitnessgall has opened my eyes to the perfect pairing of sweet potatoes and healthy fats! And I must say it is a lot of fun experimenting with the many nut butters that fill my fridge.

Cold Sweet Potato topped with Cashew Butter, Sunflower Butter, Cocoa Nibs, Walnuts and Cinnamon

This potato is straight up decadent.  Ozzing with a combo of creamy nut butters, sweet cinnamon, crunchy walnuts and raw cocoa nibs. Serve this as a snack, dessert or side dish.