Month: March 2021

Melting Sweet Potatoes

Melting Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes paired with cinnamon, maple syrup, and extra virgin coconut oil mix to create a melt in your mouth side dish you will absolutely love.  These are simple to prepare and taste like dessert. Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: 2 sweet potatoes 2 

Hazelnut Nutella Energy Balls

Hazelnut Nutella Energy Balls

Hazelnuts pair so well with chocolate! These nutty energy balls provide a nice sweet crunchy to go snack for any time of day. Ingredients: 1 cup old fashioned oats ¼ cup roasted cashews 1/3 to ½ cup Nutella 1 scoop vanilla protein powder 2 tablespoons 

Slow Cooker Asian Chicken Drumsticks

Slow Cooker Asian Chicken Drumsticks

This was the first time I cooked drumsticks in a slow cooker and I will definitely be doing this again.  These drumsticks were so tender the meat literally fell right off the bone.  The sauce had a nice flavor and paired wonderfully with an Asian blend of frozen vegetables and cauliflower rice.

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

8 chicken drumsticks

¼ cup hoisin sauce

¼ cup honey

3 tablespoons ketchup

2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce

2 cloves garlic minced

¼ teaspoon chile flakes

2 teaspoons Chinese five spice powder

3 scallions sliced

Salt and pepper

Serve with: cauliflower rice, rice, ramen noodles, Thai noodles, etc…

Directions:

  1. Spray slow cooker with nonstick spray.
  2. Whisk together the hoisin, honey, ketchup, soy sauce, garlic, and chile in a medium bowl.
  3. Sprinkle the drumsticks with the five-spice powder, salt, and pepper.
  4. Arrange the chicken in the slow cooker in a single layer.  Pour the sauce over the chicken.
  5. Cook on low 4-6 hours.
  6. Flip over the drumsticks halfway through if possible.
  7. Serve with cauliflower rice, rice, ramen noodles, Thai noodles, and vegetables of your choice.
Curried Salmon with Mango Chutney

Curried Salmon with Mango Chutney

I love salmon, curry, and mangos.  Combined this made a simple and delicious meal with a flavorful and fruity topping.  Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: 2 pound salmon filet 1-2 tablespoons olive oil 1 small shallot thinly sliced 1 ½ teaspoons curry powder ¼ 

Blueberry Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Blueberry Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts taste wonderfully when paired with the sweetness of maple syrup and a blueberry infused balsamic vinegar.  These are easy to prepare and pair well with many main dishes. Ingredients: 12 ounces Brussels sprouts halved with stems removed 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 

Lemonade Raspberry Freezer Pie

Lemonade Raspberry Freezer Pie

I always make a pie on Pi Day (March 14).  This year I decided to make a freezer pie instead of a traditional fruit filled pie.  The result was amazing!

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

Crust-

20 lemon Oreos or cream filled cookies

4 tablespoons extra virgin coconut oil melted

Filling-

1 cup raspberries

2 packets Monk fruit in the raw sugar (or 2 tablespoons sugar)

One 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk

One 8 ounce package reduced fat cream cheese

One 3.4 ounce package instant lemon pudding mix

¼ cup frozen pink lemonade concentrate thawed

2 lemons zested

Optional toppings: fresh raspberries, lemon zest twists, whipped cream

Directions:

Crust-

  1.  Place the cookies in the bowl of a food processor.  Pulse to dice to a fine mixture. 
  2. Melt the coconut oil. Add to the food processor.  Pulse to mix.
  3. Press the cookie mixture into the base of a 11 inch springform pan. 
  4. Chill crust in the fridge while you make the topping.

Filling-

  1. Place the raspberries in a bowl.  Sprinkle with monk fruit sugar (or regular sugar).  Set aside.
  2. Add condensed milk, cream cheese, and pudding mix to a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment.  Mix on low until smooth for 1 minute.
  3. Add the lemonade and lemon zest.  Whip on medium high speed for 3 minutes until thick.
  4. Fold in raspberries. 
  5. Pour into the chilled crust and spread evenly.  Freeze for at least 2 hours.  (You can also wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months).
  6. To serve remove from the freezer and allow to thaw slightly for about 10 minutes.  Slice using a knife warmed from hot water.
  7. Top with fresh raspberries, lemon zest twists, or whipped cream.
Pizza Pot Pies

Pizza Pot Pies

Who doesn’t love cheesy gooey pizzas?  These are basically upside down pizzas with a cheesy layer and any toppings you would normally put on your pizza.  My children love these and get excited when they see this on our weekly menu. Recipe adapted from Food 

Beef and Cheddar Noodle Casserole

Beef and Cheddar Noodle Casserole

Casseroles are one of my go-to weeknight meals because I can prep them on weekends and just throw them in the oven when I get home from work.  My kids gobbled this up and asked when I would be making it again. Note: I used 

Beef and Cheddar Zucchini Lasagna

Beef and Cheddar Zucchini Lasagna

I often swap traditional noodles for veggie noodles or slices in recipes to increase my vegetable intake and reduce carbs.  In this recipe I substituted egg noodles for zucchini slices and made a lasagna type dish instead of using noodles.

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

1 pound lean ground beef

2 medium zucchini sliced ¼ inch slices

1 ½ cups plain nonfat Greek yogurt

1 teaspoon garlic powder

½ cup shredded Parmesan

1 red bell pepper diced

1 bunch scallions diced (white and green parts)

2 teaspoons Italian seasoning divided

One 14 ½ ounce can diced tomatoes (plain or with basil and Italian seasoning)

2 cups grated Cheddar

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees if baking now.  Spray a 9×13 baking dish with olive oil spray.
  2. Spray a nonstick pan with olive oil spray.  Saute the zucchini slices over medium low heat for 10 minutes to soften.  Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning.  Flip/stir frequently.
  3. Arrange one layer of zucchini slices in the bottom of the prepared dish.  
  4. Mix yogurt, garlic powder, and parmesan cheese in a medium bowl. 
  5. Spread the yogurt mixture over the layer of zucchini noodles.
  6. Brown the ground beef in a nonstick pan.  Drain. 
  7. Add the peppers and scallions and cook about 3 minutes. 
  8. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
  9. Add the diced tomatoes and simmer for 2 more minutes until sauce thickens. 
  10. Pour the beef mixture over the yogurt mixture.
  11. Add another layer of zucchini slices. 
  12. Top with shredded cheddar cheese.
  13. Bake 30 minutes if cooking now.  Bake 45-50 minutes after refrigerating.
  14. Broil on high 3-5 minutes to brown and melt the cheese.
  15. Let stand a few minutes before serving.

I often swap traditional noodles for veggie noodles or slices in recipes to increase my vegetable intake and reduce carbs.  In this recipe I substituted egg noodles for zucchini slices and made a lasagna type dish instead of using noodles.

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

1 pound lean ground beef

2 medium zucchini sliced ¼ inch slices

1 ½ cups plain nonfat Greek yogurt

1 teaspoon garlic powder

½ cup shredded Parmesan

1 red bell pepper diced

1 bunch scallions diced (white and green parts)

2 teaspoons Italian seasoning divided

One 14 ½ ounce can diced tomatoes (plain or with basil and Italian seasoning)

2 cups grated Cheddar

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees if baking now.  Spray a 9×13 baking dish with olive oil spray.
  2. Spray a nonstick pan with olive oil spray.  Saute the zucchini slices over medium low heat for 10 minutes to soften.  Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning.  Flip/stir frequently.
  3. Arrange one layer of zucchini slices in the bottom of the prepared dish.  
  4. Mix yogurt, garlic powder, and parmesan cheese in a medium bowl. 
  5. Spread the yogurt mixture over the layer of zucchini noodles.
  6. Brown the ground beef in a nonstick pan.  Drain. 
  7. Add the peppers and scallions and cook about 3 minutes. 
  8. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
  9. Add the diced tomatoes and simmer for 2 more minutes until sauce thickens. 
  10. Pour the beef mixture over the yogurt mixture.
  11. Add another layer of zucchini slices. 
  12. Top with shredded cheddar cheese.
  13. Bake 30 minutes if cooking now.  Bake 45-50 minutes after refrigerating.
  14. Broil on high 3-5 minutes to brown and melt the cheese.
  15. Let stand a few minutes before serving.
Loaded Vegetable Quesadillas

Loaded Vegetable Quesadillas

There’s nothing like a warm gooey quesadilla after a long day.  These are filled with vegetables, simple to prepare, and utterly delicious. You will feel like you are indulging, but they are actually healthy. Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: 2 medium zucchini 1 bell