Slow Cooker Maple Turkey Breast with Stewed Vegetables; Biblical Perspective on Food Philosophy

I’m very excited about this comfort food dinner for tonight!!!  If you are having a small group for Thanksgiving this may be a good option for you, instead of a whole turkey.

Food is a catalyst for relationships.  It brings families and friends together and gives them opportunity to take a break from the chaos of life and actually enjoy each other.  One of my priorities is to make healthy comfort foods that will give my family the ability to connect!

Before I share this recipe I want to discuss a biblical perspective on food and celebration.  If this isn’t interesting to you feel free to skip ahead to the recipe.  Have you ever heard people talk about “the God of the Old Testament,” and “the God of the New Testament?”  Well, many believe that the picture of God we receive from the Old Testament is full of rules and wrath.  Then, finally in the New Testament he decides to show love and mercy.  I believe this is a very flawed understanding of who God is.  He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

In fact, the Old Testament is full of predictions and promises of the Redeemer who would come in Christ Jesus, and it is full of examples of people acting horribly, but God giving second (and third and fourth) chances.  Isaiah 41: 14 says, “‘Do not fear, for I myself will help you,’ declares the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.”  God’s plan was always merciful, and his law was designed to bring life, not to restrict happiness.  God is truly good, though, which means he can’t just ignore it when people turn their back on him and treat each other badly.  If he didn’t respond when someone commits murder or steals I would certainly question his goodness.  His ultimate plan to deal with our destructive choices was to take the punishment on Himself, and restore our relationship with him, each other, and all of creation.  Forgive me for digressing a little, but I’m trying to make the point that God is, and always has been, loving and good, and I think that our food philosophy should be formed by an understanding of who he is and what he designed us for (relationship).

One example of God’s loving mercy in the Old Testament is found in the Law that Moses wrote.  Something that strikes me whenever I read through the Old Testament is how significant food, festivals, and celebrations are to God.  Most of the time when he requires a sacrifice (animal or other) from his people, he also includes a feast or celebration.  Here’s a website that shows various feasts and their significance in the Old Testament.  http://www.agapebiblestudy.com/charts/Seven%20Sacred%20Feasts%20of%20the%20Old%20Covenant.htm.  God knows that feasts bring people together and promote relationship.  I believe that’s why he includes so many of them in His Word.  We were made to be in relationship with God and each other, and I love that God asks people to connect with each other through food as they connect with him through sacrifice.  I hope the healthy recipes I share on this blog will help bring life and deeper relationships to your family!  OK, now on to the recipe!

1 Bone in Skin on Turkey Breast (love the one from Trader Joe’s)

2 Small Onions, Sliced into 1/2 Inch Circles

2 Carrots, Peeled and Cut into 2 Inch Chunks

1 Sweet Potato, Cut into 1.5 Inch Cubes

4 Red Potatoes, Cut into 1.5 Inch Cubes

1 Fennel Bulb, Thinly Sliced

Fennel and Thyme Herbs to Taste (add a lot if you can)

1 Tsp Cinnamon

1/2 Tsp Nutmeg

1/4 Cup Dried Cranberries

3-4 Cloves Garlic, Minced

1 Cup Organic (no MSG) Chicken Broth

2 Tbsp Maple Vinegar (Found it at Sprouts, but you can use white wine vinegar and add a couple teaspoons or a tablespoon of maple syrup)

Salt and Pepper to Taste

First coat the bottom of your crock pot with about a teaspoon of olive oil. Place the sliced onions on the oil and sprinkle with diced garlic.  Place turkey breast on top of the onions.  Leaving the skin on and the bones in during cooking will help your meat come out tender and tasty.  I will take the skin off before serving it.  Pour chicken broth over meat.  Pour maple vinegar over the meat, then sprinkle with some salt and pepper. Surround the meat with the sweet and red potatoes, then add everything else.  Make sure to cook this on high for a few hours, because you are working with raw poultry.  When you’ve cooked it on high long enough to ensure that the meat will be fully cooked turn the cooker onto low until you are ready to serve.  Enjoy with family and friends!!!