When Biju Thomas figured out he wasn't good enough to be a professional cyclist, he turned to his other passion: cooking. Before long, Thomas was preparing food for cyclists who did go pro, and a few years ago he started writing cookbooks for everyday athletes. His latest, with Allen Lim of Skratch Labs in Boulder, is called "Feed Zone Table: Family-Style Meals to Nourish Life and Sport."
Recipes from "Feed Zone Table"
Kept chunky and rustic with red or black beans and chopped herbs, guacamole can be a bright salad packed with good fats and protein. High-quality beans are an economical way to feed more people. This is a crowd-pleaser that you can make last-minute and serve at room temperature. Serves 8 3 ripe avocados, diced large ON TOP ¼ cup thinly sliced onion, sautéed until crisp In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the avocados, red onion, cilantro, jalapeño, and half the lime juice. If you are using canned beans, drain and rinse them before folding into the guacamole. Mix in the chili powder, salt, and pepper, being careful not to crush the beans. Taste and add more lime juice and salt and pepper, if needed. Sprinkle with any combination of toppers and serve immediately. MIXED BEAN CURRY
Serves 6 2 tablespoons coconut oil ON TOP Warm the coconut oil in a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Add the ginger and garlic and sauté just a minute or two. Then add the onions and cook until they are golden brown on the edges. Add the curry powder. Cook, continuously scraping the bottom of the pan, until fragrant. Add the tomatoes and stir until combined, then add stock and bring to low rolling boil. Stir in the coconut milk until fully incorporated, then add the jalapeño and cilantro. Mix it all together and salt to taste. If using canned beans, drain and rinse them. Add the beans to the pot. Gently fold together without crushing the beans. Serve as a hearty soup or over rice with a dollop of plain yogurt and jalapeño to taste.
Professional cycling teams are served plenty of boiled chicken and overcooked spaghetti when they are traveling from race to race and eating hotel fare. At the 2015 Tour of California, Mark Cavendish requested that we make him some Bolognese. Our team made him a special batch, and he went on to win that day’s stage . . . just saying. Serves 6 8 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni or curly noodles Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and prepare the pasta as directed on the package. Drain the pasta and set aside. Brown the bacon in a heavy pot over medium-high heat until crisp. Add the ground beef and continue to cook until browned. Add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic, and cook until the carrots are tender, about 5–6 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the pan. Add the tomato paste and use a wooden spoon to fully incorporate it, scraping the bottom of the pan. Turn the heat down to medium and add the white wine, cooking about 5 minutes to reduce the liquid and let the flavors meld. Turn the heat off and quickly stir in the milk until well combined. Finish with the diced tomato and fresh herbs, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss with pasta and garnish with Parmesan. Republished with permission of VeloPress from Feed Zone Table by chef Biju Thomas and Dr. Allen Lim. Try more recipes at www.feedzonecookbook.com. |
