Finding simple, scrumptious meals that are filling, nutrient-rich, and appropriate for your stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an ongoing challenge. With spring on the way, here are some light, healthy, kidney-friendly recipes to enjoy at home or on the go.*

Chai Spiced Muffins

Serving: 1 Muffin | Ok for CKD Non-Dialysis, Dialysis/Diabetes, Dialysis, Transplant

Ingredients 

• 1 cup rice milk (avoid those with “enriched” claim)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 1 teabag of black tea (e.g. Orange Pekoe or decaf Chai) 
• Chai spices:
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon 
  • ½ teaspoon ginger (dry) 
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves 
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg 
• 1 ½ cups all purpose flour 
• 1 cup quick oats 
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar 
• ½ teaspoon baking soda 
• 2 eggs 
• ½ cup granulated sugar 
• 1/3 cup canola oil 

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F.  
• In a small saucepan, heat rice milk on medium heat until steam rises and small bubbles form around the edge. 
• Add vanilla extract, tea bag, and chai spices. 
• Take the pan off the heat and let sit for 2 minutes. Remove the tea bag.  
• In a bowl, mix the flour, oats, cream of tartar, and baking soda. Set aside.  
• In a large bowl, beat eggs, sugar, and oil with an electric mixer until pale and fluffy. 
• Alternate adding the dry ingredients and the chai mixture, using a wooden spoon to mix. 
• Transfer batter to a 12-count muffin tin and bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of a muffin comes out clean.
• Cool and serve.

You can use different types of tea to switch up the flavor of the muffins.

Red Pepper Couscous Salad 

Serving: ⅓ of recipe | Ok for CKD Non-Dialysis, Dialysis/Diabetes, Dialysis, Transplant

Ingredients

• ½ cup pearl couscous, uncooked 
• ½ cup roasted red peppers*, cut into small pieces 
• ¼ cup flat leaf parsley, chopped 
• 2 tablespoons red onion, diced 
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced 
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest 
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice 
• 1 tablespoon olive oil 
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions 

• Cook couscous according to the package; leave out the salt. 
• Transfer the cooked couscous (warm or cold) to a plate and cool in the refrigerator. 
• In a bowl, combine the couscous, peppers, parsley, red onions, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, and olive oil. 
• Season with pepper to taste, then serve.

You can transform this from a side dish into an entree by adding a lean protein. 

*American Association of Kidney Patients. (n.d.). Kidney Friendly Recipes. AAKP Delicious! 7th edition. Retrieved from https://aakp.org/center-for-patient-research-and-education/kidney-friendly-recipes/ 

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