Yellow Squash and Onions

Here’s an easy and healthy weeknight side dish that’s packed with flavor but only needs a few ingredients. Pair it with your favorite chicken or fish dish.

Serving : 2

Ingredients

2 yellow squash (1/2 in slices)

1/2 small onion 

Sprinkle of dried thyme

Sprinkle of red pepper flakes

Splash of Olive oil 

Instructions

Wash the produce.

Slice the squash into 1/2 inch coins and slice onion into 1/2 inch rings. 

Toss in a bowl with olive oil and herbs

Lay in a single layer on a foil lined pan and roast at 375 degrees for 20 minutes or until slightly browned.

Serve and enjoy!

Baja Quinoa Salad for Two

Baja Quinoa Salad

yield: 2 PEOPLE prep time: 30-40 MINUTES

Great for a healthy and refreshing lunch!  I sometimes, double or triple it for an outdoor barbecue with friends and family.  This is a festive south of the border twist on a traditional quinoa salad.  It’s also great served with grilled sliced chicken tossed in. 

INGREDIENTS

CUMIN-LIME VINAIGRETTE

  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 1  tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1  tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1-2 garlic cloves (minced or pressed)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • Pinch crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

SALAD

  • 1 cup cooked quinoa
  • 1 cup shredded cooked chicken breast (optional)
  • 1/2 red pepper, 1/4 inch diced
  • 2 green onions, sliced (white and about 1/2 of the green part)
  • 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro (plus a few sprigs for garnish)
  • 1 avocado, thinly sliced (optional)
  • lime wedges for spritzing
  • salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS 

CUMIN LIME VINAIGRETTE

  • In a blender or food processor, combine all the dressing ingredients.
  • Blend until combined and smooth.

This recipe makes almost 1 cup of dressing so you will have extra. Leftover dressing stays great in the fridge for a few days! Store it in a sealed container.

SALAD

  • Cook the quinoa and allow to cool*
  • Add the chopped ingredients (and shredded chicken if including)
  • Drizzle with 2-4 tablespoons of the vinaigrette and toss. Taste and add a little more as you like.
  • Refrigerate the salad for 15-20 minutes if you can, as this allows the flavors to meld together.
  • Serve the salad on small plates or in bowls.
  • Top with the sliced avocados and fresh cilantro sprig.
  • Garnish with a lime wedge. 

Enjoy!

*   One cup of dry quinoa yields about three cups of cooked quinoa.  I often make more than I need as it stores well in the fridge for several days and can be added to other recipes to add additional protein and fiber.

Talapia with Lemon Pepper Butter

Ingredients

For fish…

2-3 fillets of Talapia

1/4 cup flour (I like cassava flour- gluten free and grain free)

A few shakes of lemon pepper and salt

For the sauce…

1/2 stick butter, softened

Zest of one lemon

1 T fresh Italian parsley, chopped

3/4 tsp lemon pepper

1/4 tsp sea salt (or to taste)

Process:

Prepare the sauce:

Melt the butter in a small saucepan. Add lemon zest, parsley, lemon pepper and sea salt and set aside.

Prepare the fish:

Place the flour in a dish with flat bottom such as a pie tin. Season the flour with salt and pepper.Dredge fish in flour mixture to coat both sides.

Heat a large skillet. Add 2 T olive oil to the pan and sauté fish 3-4 minutes per side or until fish is golden brown and crispy on outside and opaque inside.

Drizzle with pan sauce and serve immediately.

Herbed Quinoa Chicken Salad

Pomegranate Mint Quinoa Chicken Salad

Hearty and healthy chicken salad bursting with fresh herbs

Prep: 15 minutes

 Cook: 15 minutes

 Total: 30 minutes

Servings: 4

This pomegranate mint quinoa chicken salad with lime dressing is satisfying and delicious! Eat alone, on toasted bread as a sandwich, or on top of fresh spinach.

Ingredients

Salad

• 3 cups quinoa, rinsed, cooked and cooled

• 2 cups chicken, cooked and shredded

• 1 cup pomegranate seeds (or dried cranberries)

• 1 bunch fresh cilantro or parsley leaves, packed and chopped (approximately 1/4 cup) (parsley

• 1 bunch fresh mint finely chopped (approximately 1/4 cup)

Dressing

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 2 teaspoons lime zest

• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (approximately 1 lime)

• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• Cook quinoa ahead of time and allow it to cool. 

• In a large bowl, combine quinoa, chicken, and pomegranate seeds.

• In a small bowl wish together the dressing ingredients.

• Add dressing to the quinoa mixture.

• Season and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or until just chilled.

• Just before serving, add finely chopped mint and cilantro (or parsley) mixing gently to combine.

Notes

1. 1 cup of dry quinoa yield about 3 cups of cooked quinoa.

Nutrition

Calories per 257g* Serving: 370kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g |Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 65mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 5g

Asian Simple Salad and Dressing

I was on the hunt for an easy and tasty Asian Salad Recipe and stumbled upon this one from Fit Foodie Finds. This is one of my new favorites! Take a peak below or go to link https://fitfoodiefinds.com/asian-salad-dressing/

Prep: 20 minutesCook: 0 minutesTotal: 20 minutes

SERVINGS 4

Asian Salad Dressing

This Asian Salad Dressing is made with garlic, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, and a little soy sauce. It’s the perfect healthy salad dressing to top on your favorite kale salad or use as a chicken marinade!

Prep: 5 minutesCook: 10 minutesTotal: 15 minutes

FAT 15 CARBS 3 PROTEIN 0

YIELD 4

Dressing Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, roughly minced
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons maple syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard

Asian Kale Salad Ingredients

  • 4 cups shredded kale, packed
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 2 cups shredded purple cabbage
  • 2 large carrots, peeled and grated
  • 1 large red pepper, minced
  • 1/4 cup cilantro, minced
  • 1/2 cup onion, minced (any kind)
  • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds


    INSTRUCTIONS
  • Start off by making your Asian Salad Dressing.  
  • Prepare Asian salad by placing kale into a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with 1 teaspoon of olive oil.
  • Massage the olive oil into the kale with your hands for 2-3 minutes or until kale is soft and broken down.
  • Add the rest of the kale salad ingredients to the bowl and mix.
  • Pour entire dressing on the salad and toss until all ingredients are combined.

TIPS & NOTES

Nutrition includes Asian Salad dressing.

NUTRITION FACTS

  • Serving Size: 1/4 Calories: 249 Sugar: 6 Fat: 19 Carbohydrates: 18 Fiber: 4 Protein: 4

Weeknight Baked Lemon Dill Salmon

Baked Lemon Dill Salmon

PREP TIME. 10 mins

COOK TIME. 15 mins

TOTAL TIME. 25 mins

SERVINGS. 4 servings

Skin-on salmon is helpful as the skin helps hold the fish together after baking but skinless salmon works fine too.

Ingredients

  • 4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets or steaks, preferably skin-on
  • Kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh dill
  • 1 thinly sliced lemon, for garnish

Method

  1. Prep the salmon: Remove the salmon from the refrigerator and sprinkle a little salt over it. Let it sit at room temperature. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Make the dill butter: Mix the fresh dill with the butter in a small bowl.
  3. Bake the salmon: Spread 1-2 T olive oil on the fish to coat it. Place the salmon skin side down in a roasting pan. Bake for 12-15 minutes undisturbed (depending on how thick your salmon pieces are). Remove the salmon with a spatula. The salmon should be just cooked through when done.
  4. Serve: To serve, place a few thin slices of lemon on each plate. Remove the salmon pieces from the oven and place on the lemon slices with a spatula. Top each piece of salmon with about a tablespoon of the dill butter and serve at once.

NUTRITION FACTS (PER SERVING)

560 CALORIES 40g FAT 16g CARBS 40g PROTEIN

Parsley & Chive Potato Frittata

I recently started an herb garden. I love using fresh herbs in my cooking and my indoor AeroGarden allows me to have them year round. This simple egg dish can be whipped up in a jiffy and can be served for breakfast/brunch as well as an easy weeknight dinner with a salad. It’s healthy and bursting with fresh flavors. Enjoy!

Parsley and Chive Potato Frittata

Ingredients

2 medium potatoes cut into cubes (no skin)

1 Tbs olive oil

9  organic brown eggs

1/2 cup chopped chives

1 cup of green peas

1/2 cup chopped parsley

1 package soft herbed cheese (I like Boursin)

Salt & Pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Boil or bake potatoes until tender

Scramble the eggs in a bowl and add all the ingredients. Mix well.

Heat an oven-safe skillet (ie cast iron) on the stove over medium heat with 1-2 Tbs of olive oil.

Pour the mixture into the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook for about 10 minutes in the pan. Place the pan in the oven for approx. 10-15 minutes more or until slightly brown on top. Allow it to rest before serving. Serves 4.

Recipe and Photo courtesy of Andrea Correale

Lemon Chardonnay Chicken

This is an easy weeknight dinner recipe that is also pretty enough to serve guests at a small casual dinner party. The citrus sauce is the perfect combination of savory and sweet. The leftovers (if you have any) are great for lunch the next day too! Enjoy!

Serves 3-4

Ingredients

4-6 boneless chicken breast cutlets (see notes)

1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup Chardonnay (or you can use white cooking wine)

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

6 green onions (white and half of green section, chopped)

4-6 cloves of garlic, pressed or finely chopped

6-8 Tablespoons butter (divided)

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Preparation

For Chicken:

Pat the chicken with a paper towel to dry.  Season with salt and pepper as desired.

Lightly flour chicken and place into a large frying pan with approximately 3-4 T. butter melted in the pan and fry until golden brown about 5 minutes per side.  Be careful not to burn the butter.  Chicken will not be fully cooked.  Place chicken in a warm oven while you make the sauce.

For Sauce:

Add 3-4 T butter to pan. Saute the onions and garlic in the butter on low heat. Add wine and lemon juice. Simmer for about 5 minutes. Add the chicken to the sauce, cover and simmer for 5-10 minutes more or until fully cooked. Serve over your favorite rice (I like brown basmati rice). Yummy!

Notes:  

Chicken – you can purchase chicken cutlets or chicken breast fillets in your local grocery store or you can cut them yourself but slicing a boneless chicken breast in half to form thin patties.

Flouring Chicken – Place about 1/4-1/2 cup flour in a shallow baking dish.  Dip and flip the chicken fillets into the flour to lightly cover them before cooking. This ensures that chicken stays both moist and tender.

30-Minute Coconut Curry Chicken

Super Simple and Super yummy! This recipe mimics the traditional Thai curry but without so many hard to find ingredients. It’s so easy that it is perfect for a weekday meal.

Ingredients:

10 oz. of Organic Jasmine Rice (found in a 3-pack in the freezer section of many grocery stores like Trader Joe’s. You can also substitute cauliflower rice if you prefer. )

13.5 oz. can coconut milk

1 Tbsp. curry powder

2 Tbsp. fish sauce

2 oz. butter or ghee

1 lb. skinless boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks

2 bay leaves

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro plus four sprigs

1-2 mini red peppers, sliced (optional for garnish)

Procedure:

  1. Place a large frying pan over medium heat and add coconut milk and curry powder. Stir until combined, then add the fish sauce and butter. Stir until the butter is melted.
  2. Add the chicken and bay leaves. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
  3. After the chicken has simmered for 10 minutes, remove the lid and simmer for an additional 15 minutes until the liquid had reduced by 50% and the chicken is cooked through (no longer pink in the middle).
  4. Stir in the fresh cilantro and remove pan from heat.
  5. Pop the bag of jasmine rice in the microwave for 3 minutes or as directed on the package. (Or you can use cauliflower rice)
  6. To assemble, add 3/4 cup of the rice and 1/2 cup of the curry mixture to individual bowls and place a fresh cilantro sprig on top.

Low Carb Creamy Tuscan Chicken

IMG_1468Low Carb Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Low Carb Creamy Tuscan Chicken is rich and satisfying with lots of sun-dried tomatoes and spinach.  I love the parmesan cream sauce. It is one of my very favorite low carb meals and it is perfect for the keto diet.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 495 kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut in half horizontally
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Lemon Pepper Seasoning
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/3 cup white wine or chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup  sun-dried tomatoes (approximately 1/2 of a 4 oz jar )
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2-3 cups baby spinach
  • 2-3 medium zucchini squash, zoodles (optional)

Instructions

  1. Place olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

    Season chicken with lemon pepper.

  2. Add chicken to skillet and cook 4 to 5 minutes per side, or until cooked through.

    Remove chicken and set aside.

  3. Add onion to skillet and cook for about 3 minutes to soften.

  4. Add garlic and cook 1 more minute.

  5. Add white wine or chicken broth and cook until reduced just a bit and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.

  6. Add heavy cream and bring to a simmer for 1 minute.

    Add Parmesan and stir until melted.

  7. Add sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.

    Stir in spinach. Cook and stir until spinach is wilted.

    Season to taste with salt and pepper.

    8.  Optional:  Many italian dishes are served over a bed of pasta.  I like to avoid the carbs and use zoodles instead.  Make the zoodle noodles with either a mandoline or zoodle maker.  Place on a paper towel to remove some of the excess water.  Add 2 T of olive oil to a pan and heat on medium heat.  Add zoodles to pan, and add salt and pepper to taste and stir for about 2 minutes.  Add more slat/pepper to taste and stir again for two minutes or so until just a bit limp.  Place zoodles on a plate and then add the chicken and sauce and serve.

Nutrition Facts
Low Carb Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Amount Per Serving
Calories 495Calories from Fat 324
% Daily Value*
Fat 36g55%
Saturated Fat 17g106%
Cholesterol 164mg55%
Sodium 475mg21%
Potassium 1180mg34%
Carbohydrates 9g3%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 33g66%
Vitamin A 3950IU79%
Vitamin C 19.1mg23%
Calcium 248mg25%
Iron 2.8mg