Recent Posts

Curried Jicama and Tofu Lettuce Wraps

Curried Jicama and Tofu Lettuce Wraps

I was craving curry and I was feeling creative.  I had a block of extra firm tofu I needed to use and I had ½ of a jicama in the fridge.  Instead of using apple and chicken like I had used before to make a 

Spiced Apple Waffles

Spiced Apple Waffles

My mother in-law brought back a bushel of apples from the apple tree in her yard in North Carolina and I can’t stand to see fruit go to waste, so I decided to make spiced apple waffles with a warm cinnamon apple topping.  I also 

Cashew Coconut Curry Cod Spinach Salad with a Light Peanut Dressing

Cashew Coconut Curry Cod Spinach Salad with a Light Peanut Dressing

Curry is one of my favorite flavors.  Coconut and curry with the crunch of cashews taste phenomenal over baked cod.  I made a spinach salad with a light peanut dressing too to really help the flavors pop.

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

Cod-

6-7 cod filets (2 pounds)

Olive oil spray

1 teaspoon ground coriander

1 teaspoon curry powder

Lime wedges for serving

Cashew Coconut Curry Topping-

¾ cup roasted cashews

¾ cup unsweetened coconut

2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil

½ teaspoon curry powder

Zest from 1 lime

1 teaspoon fresh cilantro

Peanut Dressing-

2 tablespoons powdered peanut butter

¼ cup peanut butter (I used BetterNButter)

2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce

2 tablespoons rice vinegar

1 teaspoon siracha

2 tablespoons orange juice

2 tablespoons water

Salad-

4 cups spinach

1 bell pepper diced

½ cup cherry tomatoes halved

1 cucumber sliced

Top with extra cashew coconut curry topping

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350.  Line a small baking sheet with aluminum foil.
  2. Add coconut, curry powder, cashews, and olive oil to a food processor.  Pulse quickly to chop the cashews.
  3. Spread the topping on the baking sheet.  Bake for 5 minutes.  Add lime zest and cilantro.  Set aside.
  4. Spray cod filets with olive oil spray.  Sprinkle with curry and coriander.
  5. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil.  Set a wire cooling rack on the baking sheet.  Place the fish on the wire rack. 
  6. Bake for 13-15 minutes.
  7. Sprinkle topping under and over fish to serve.  Drizzle with lime juice from lime wedges.
  8. Peanut Dressing- Add all ingredients to a food processor or medium bowl.  Whisk or pulse to combine.  Drizzle dressing over spinach salad or cod.
  9. Salad-Lay a bed of spinach on the plate.  Top with peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers.  Sprinkle extra cashew coconut curry topping to add some crunch.
Cashew Coconut Curry Topping
Roasted curry cod
Peanut dressing
Spinach salad with peanut dressing and cashew coconut curry crunch
Light and Spicy Zucchini and Tomato Casserole

Light and Spicy Zucchini and Tomato Casserole

Zucchini is a popular summer vegetable.  This simple and light casserole is bursting with flavor and is a fantastic side dish. Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: 2 zucchini sliced lengthwise into ¼ inch slices 1 teaspoon olive oil 2 cloves garlic 1 teaspoon chili 

Citrus BBQ Chicken

Citrus BBQ Chicken

The summer is the perfect season for a citrusy BBQ sauce.  You can grill or bake chicken using this sauce to create the perfect summer meal. Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: 7 chicken tenders, drumsticks, thighs, etc… (Cooking time may vary) Citrus BBQ Sauce- 

Fresh Peach Salad

Fresh Peach Salad

Peaches fresh from the produce stand disappear quickly at my house in the summer.  However; I managed to snag a few peaches to make this delicious salad.

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

Vinaigrette-

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 shallot thinly sliced

Salt and pepper to taste

Salad-

5 ounces baby arugula

4 ounces smoked gouda diced into small pieces

2 peaches thinly sliced

1 bell pepper diced

½ cup roasted pecans

Directions:

  1. Add oil, vinegar, honey, mustard to a food processor or jar with lid.  Pulse or mix.  Add shallots and pulse or shake.  Vinaigrette can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
  2. Add arugula, peaches, pecans, and gouda to a large bowl.  Mix to combine. 
  3. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and mix when ready to serve.
German Potato Salad with Turnips and Sweet Potatoes

German Potato Salad with Turnips and Sweet Potatoes

I love the flavors from German potato salad.  I decided to experiment with turnips and sweet potatoes versus red potatoes to reduce the carbs and enhance the nutritional value of this salad.  Normally German potato salad includes bacon, but I wasn’t in the mood for 

Greek Grilled Eggplant Steaks

Greek Grilled Eggplant Steaks

I was making pizzas for my kids and wanted something different and veggie forward for myself.  These eggplant steaks were delicious, filling, and definitely something I will make again. Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: 1 eggplant Sprinkle of chili powder Sprinkle of salt Sprinkle 

Mushroom Cheesesteak Lettuce Wraps

Mushroom Cheesesteak Lettuce Wraps

I was craving the flavors of a good cheesesteak, but I didn’t want the fat and carbs.  This veggie loaded meal was packed with flavor and full of nutrients.  I ate my “cheesesteak” on lettuce wraps and over a salad.  You could also put this on a tortilla, bun, or just eat the filling as is.

Ingredients:

8 ounces white mushrooms sliced

8 ounces portobello mushrooms sliced

8 ounces shiitake mushrooms

1 or 2 bell peppers sliced

½ onion sliced

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

2 teaspoons steak seasoning

4 sprigs fresh thyme leaves

3 tablespoons beef/vegetable broth

2-3 slices provolone cheese

Bibb lettuce, tortilla, bun, etc… for serving

Directions:

  1. Spray 2 nonstick pans with olive oil spray.  Add mushrooms to one pan and peppers and onion to the other.
  2. Mushrooms-  Drizzle with 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 3 tablespoons beef broth, and 1 teaspoon steak seasoning.  Cook on medium heat for 10 minutes stirring often.
  3. Peppers and Onions-  Drizzle with 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce and 1 teaspoon steak seasoning.  Cook on medium heat for 10 minutes stirring often.
  4. Drain excess liquid from mushrooms.
  5. Add peppers and onions to mushrooms.  Mix together.  Reduce heat to low.
  6. Cut the provolone cheese into slices.  Place thin slices over the mushrooms and vegetables and allow it to melt.
  7. Serve over lettuce wraps, a salad, tortilla, buns, etc…
Roasted Cauliflower Hummus

Roasted Cauliflower Hummus

I eat hummus with fresh vegetables just about every day.  To keep life interesting, I like experimenting with different types of hummus and I prefer to make it myself when I have time so I can control the ingredients.  This low carb hummus tastes just