No-stress delicious Lenten appetizer and meal recipes for you
to enjoy and share!
- Mini Quiche(minus the bacon)
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Chickpea Vegetable Stew
This hearty warm stew only looks like it's packed with fat and calories. Instead, it's packed with lots of vegetables, nutrition, and wonderful taste!
Ingredients:
- 1 Tbs olive oil
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 3 large garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cans of chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
- 6 cups organic vegetable broth
- 1 tsp. paprika
- 2 Tbs white miso (fermented soybean paste. Most grocery stores carry this.)
- 4 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 3 cups chopped cauliflower
- 1/2 cup chopped turnips
- 1 small bunch of kale, optional (I made mine without)
- Salt and pepper to taste, or your favorite seasonings. I put a little Creole powder in mine to give it a tiny "kick".
Add olive oil to a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Once heated, add the onions and celery. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute. Add the chickpeas, broth, and paprika. Bring to a boil then reduce heat. Let simmer 10 minutes. Turn off heat. Place miso in a small bowl and add about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of the hot broth. Stir or whisk until miso has melted and add to the stockpot. Use an immersion blender to puree; or place half of the soup into a blender and puree. Pour into a bowl and add remaining soup from stockpot into the blender. Once smooth, transfer both back into the stockpot, turn heat to medium and add carrots, cauliflower, and turnips. Cook until vegetables are tender. Add seasonings to taste and ENJOY! If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.
"A good deed brightens a dark world." - Anonymous
Monday, February 27, 2017
Coconut Almond Energy Balls
These brightly flavored balls, made with lemon juice and zest, are a great pick-me-up for a quick and healthy energy snack.
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup raw almonds
- 1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
- zest from 2 lemons
- 2 Tbs fresh lemon juice
- 2 Tbs raw organic honey
- 1 Tbs melted organic coconut oil
- 1/8 tsp. ground turmeric
- 1/2 tsp. flax seed or flax powder
- coconut, pepitas, walnuts (or anything that sounds good to you), chopped very small in a food processor or spice grinder, for rolling balls in.
Add all the ingredients to a food processor and pulse until combined, scraping down the sides as needed. Transfer to a bowl and roll mixture into balls. Roll balls in coconut, walnuts, etc. Store in fridge, covered, for up to 10 days.
"Celebrate every tiny victory." - Anonymous
Saturday, February 25, 2017
Torn Chicken with Bok Choy and Miso Vinaigrette
This addictive dish, full of greens and proteins, is one for the books! The miso vinaigrette takes this dish to a whole new level of flavor. A definite "must try" recipe!
Ingredients:
- 4 cups cooked Jasmine rice, (2 cups dry rice)
- 3 Tbs olive oil, divided
- 3 small bok choy, halved lengthwise
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup plus 2 Tbs miso vinaigrette (recipe below)
- 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken, or baked chicken breast
- Basil for garnish
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a medium bowl, mix 1 cup cooked rice with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Spread on a large rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until crisp.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the bok choy, cut side down, and season with salt and pepper. Cook until browned on the bottom, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and cook until crisp-tender, about 2 to 3 minutes longer. Transfer to a plate.
In a bowl, toss the crispy rice with the remaining 3 cups of cooked rice and 1/4 cup of the vinaigrette. Transfer to shallow bowls and top with the bok choy and chicken. Spoon the remaining vinaigrette over the chicken and bok choy and garnish with basil. Enjoy!
MISO VINAIGRETTE
Ingredients:
- 3 Tbs red wine vinegar
- 1 minced garlic clove
- 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
- 1/2 Tbs white miso, optional
- 1/2 cup olive oil
Combine all ingredients in a jar and shake well.
If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.
"You can preach a better sermon with your life than
with your lips." - Anonymous
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Korean-Style Pork and Rice
Great taste! Easy to make! Savory gochujang adds a deep flavor with a mild heat taste. Look for it ion the Asian Food aisle.
Ingredients:
- 2 Tbs Avocado oil (or sesame oil)
- 12 oz. lean ground pork
- 3/4 cup finely chopped yellow onion
- 1/3 cup chopped green onions
- 4 garlic gloves, finely chopped
- 1/3 cup water
- 1 to 2 Tbs gochujang sauce (to your desired heat level)
- 2 Tbs soy sauce (or soy-free Coconut Aminos)
- 1 Tbs light brown sugar
- 2 Tbs fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 Tbs rice vinegar
- 1 package Uncle Ben's precooked brown rice
- lime wedges
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork and cook until browned, stirring to crumble. Add onion, green onions, and garlic. Cook for 4 minutes. Add water and cook for 1 minute, scraping the skillet to loosen the brown bits. Remove from heat and add gochujang sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, cilantro, and rice vinegar. Heat rice according to packaged instructions and serve pork over rice. Garnish with lime wedges. Enjoy! If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.
"... and I say to myself, what a wonderful world." - Louis Armstrong
Sunday, February 19, 2017
Lobster Roll Tacos
"I'm already looking forward to having these again" was my husband's response after he finished his lobster roll tacos. These magnificent tacos have a taste can only be magnified by the seasoned butter sauce that is drizzled on top, sprinkled with fresh cilantro. Superior taste that is fresh and flavorful!
- 2, 5 oz. lobster tails
- 1 tsp. white vinegar
- 4 Tbs. butter
- 1/2 tsp. Old Bay seasoning
- 1 tsp. lime zest
- juice from 1/2 of a lime
- 1 Tbs minced shallotss
- 2 Tbs scallions, chopped
- 2 Tbs fresh cilantro, chopped
In a large sauce pan, add enough water that will cover lobster tails. Add vinegar and heat water over medium-high heat. When water comes to a boil, place lobster tails in pan. Let boil for about 6 to 7 minutes, until shells turn bright red and meat is tender when pierced with a fork. Remove tails and submerge in an ice bath to stop the cooking, for about 5 minutes. Carefully remove meat from tails and cut into bite-size pieces. Set aside.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat butter and Old Bay seasoning over medium heat. After the butter is melted, add lime zest, juice, and shallots. Cook for 2 minutes or until shallots are tender. Add lobster to skillet and gently stir until lobster is heated through. Remove lobster with a slotted spoon and place in taco shells. Top with desired amount of butter sauce and sprinkle each lobster taco with scallions and cilantro. Enjoy! If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.
"Life's a beach! Relax and eat more lobster." - Anonymous
Friday, February 17, 2017
Skillet Meatball Lasagna
Think lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs, and pizza all combined into something that leaves you feeling so completely satisfied that there's just no way it can also be a healthy meal for your family to enjoy! Substituting ground beef for ground turkey (if you're making your own meatballs) and penne pasta for organic gluten-free brown rice penne pasta, this recipe will get two-thumbs up from your family and friends!
Ingredients:
- 1 tsp. olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, diced
- 2 tsp. Italian dry seasoning
- 1/8 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes (more if you like spice)
- 1, 14 oz. can crushed tomatoes
- 1, 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes
- 32 ounces organic vegetable broth
- 1, 16 oz. package penne pasta (I used Organic gluten-free brown rice pasta)
- 16 oz. mini meatballs (you can buy these frozen, pre-made, or make homemade. Mine were homemade from ground turkey. If you buy frozen, thaw before using.)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup ricotta cheese (optional)
- 3 Tbs chopped fresh cilantro
Heat olive oil in a large deep, oven-proof, skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes; cook for 1 minute. Stir in crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and vegetable broth; and bring to a low boil. Add pasta and cook until pasta is done (about 12 minutes). Preheat broiler to high. Add pre-made meatballs to skillet and sprinkle with mozzarella and ricotta, and broil for about 5 minutes or until cheese melts and starts to become golden. Garnish with cilantro and serve. Enjoy! If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.
"Eat a salad everyday. Bean salad. Coffee bean salad. Coffee.
Drink coffee everyday."
Thursday, February 16, 2017
Chicken Piccata
Altering this recipe just a tad made this dish healthier without losing any of it's fantastic flavor. In our opinion, just as delicious as the Italian restaurant we frequent...with fewer calories. Can't beat that!
Ingredients:
- 6 oz. uncooked angel hair pasta (I used gluten-free whole-grain spaghetti with quinoa)
- 1/4 cup flat-leaf chopped parsley, divided
- 3 Tbs olive oil, divided
- 2 Tbs fresh lemon juice, divided
- 1 lb. chicken breast cutlets
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup flour, divided
- 2 Tbs diced garlic
- 1 1/2 cups organic chicken stock
- 2 Tbs capers, drained
Cook pasta according to directions; drain. Place in a bowl with 2 tablespoons parsley, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice; toss. Set aside and cover to keep warm.
Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Place 3 tablespoons of flour on a plate and dredge chicken in flour, shaking off the excess.
Heat remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until garlic is crisp and golden. Remove garlic with a slotted spoon and set aside. Increase heat to medium-high and add chicken. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or until done. Remove chicken to a plate, and add remaining tablespoon of flour to the skillet along with 1/4 cup chicken stock. Stir with a whisk. Add remaining 1 1/4 cups chicken stock and capers; bring to a boil. Cook for 3 minutes and then add the remaining parsley, lemon juice, and a little salt and pepper (optional).
Plate pasta with chicken on top. Drizzle with sauce and top with bits of the golden garlic. Enjoy! If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.
"Kind people are my kinda people." - Anonymous
Friday, February 3, 2017
SUPER BOWL APPETIZERS - 2017
It's the Friday before the big game, you're hosting or attending a Super Bowl party and need to prepare a few appetizers. But what can you make that's easy and delicious, yet not too time consuming? You've come to the right place! Just click on the links below for some great recipes to all-time favorite appetizers!
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
Lobster Cup Sensations
If you have a package of Uncle Ben's brown basmati rice on hand and some cream cheese, all you need is a few lobster tails and you have got yourself one sensational appetizer or entree.
Ingredients:
- Phyllo Dough Pastry Sheets
- 2, large lobster tails
- Uncle Ben's brown basmati rice (microwavable package)
- 2 oz. cream cheese
- 1 tsp. Old Bay Seasoning
- 1/2 tsp. onion powder
- pinch pepper
- 1/4 cup half and half
- cilantro (for garnish)
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Taking 2 sheets at a time, cut phyllo dough into squares large enough to be placed in a cupcake baking pan. Brush dough with melted butter and place in the oven for about 10 minutes, or until dough is golden brown. Remove and let cool.
Fill a large pot or sauce pan with water. Heat on high until it comes to a boil and submerse lobster tails into pan. Reduce heat to medium-high and let boil for about 8 to 10 minutes or until lobster shell turns pink and lobster meat is cooked. Remove and let cool a few minutes.
While lobster tails are cooling, microwave rice according to instructions on the package. Pour rice into a large bowl and add cream cheese, Old Bay, onion powder, pepper, and half and half. Stir until cream cheese has melted.
Cut lobster in half, lengthwise, and remove meat. Chop meat into small cubes and add to rice mixture. Spoon mixture into baked phyllo cups and garnish with cilantro. Enjoy! If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.
"Today, be a blessing!" - Anonymous