Monday, March 30, 2015

Spinach and Tomato Stuffed Chicken

I have been dying to try this recipe, and I had extra chicken and thought it was the perfect time.  I did not realize that I had chicken tenders, but I still made it work.  This has such a fresh taste, and the ricotta really makes it creamy.  I served this with some asparagus and wild rice which really made the dish.  I will absolutely make this again.

Ingredients
Serving size- 4 people
Prep time-10 minutes
Cook time- 25 minutes
Recipe  adapted from: Fresh Dreamer


Ingredients
  • 2 cup of low fat ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup of baby spinach, chopped
  • 1 cup of grape tomatoes, diced 
  • 4 tbsp Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
  • 4 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon of oregano
  • 4 chicken breasts
  • Adoba for seasoning
  • 1 cup of Italian seasoned panko crumbs


  • Directions

    1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
    2. Combine the ricotta, spinach, tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, basil and garlic,  Mix well till combined well.
    3. Cut a slit in the middle of your chicken breast and fill with your ricotta mixture, 
    4. Season each side of the chicken with Adoba, and coat the chicken breasts in the panko crumbs until both sides are covered. 
    5. Close the cut together with toothpicks.
    6. Place your chicken on a greased cooking tray and bake for 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. 
    7. Enjoy!
    Final Product


    Monday, February 2, 2015

    Broccamole

    I have officially joined Weight Watchers, and of course the day before Super Bowl.  I was looking for "healthy" dips for the game, and it was sure hard.  I saw something for broccamole, and I thought that I would give it a try. I LOVE guacamole so I really was not getting my hopes up, because I did not think anything could be as tasty.  I was surprisingly wrong, this was delicious and so much better than guacamole.  I would definitely recommend this for anyone looking for a healthy dip.

    Prep time: 15 minutes
    Serving size: 6-8 people
    WW Points: 1 point for half cup
    Recipe adapted from: Domestic Fits

    Ingredients

    •  3 cups of  cut broccoli (1 large head of broccoli)
    • 2 tablespoons of  chopped green onion
    • 1 teaspoon of olive oil
    • 2 ounces of fat free sour cream
    • 1/2 tablespoon of chili powder
    • 1/2 tablespoon of garlic powder
    • 1/2 tablespoon of onion powder
    Directions

    1. Steam your broccoli for about 10 minutes, you want the broccoli to be very soft. 
    2.  Add your broccoli and the remaining ingredients to your food processor.
    3. Process your mixture until smooth.
    4. Chill for about 1 hour.
    5. Enjoy
    Final Product

    Tuesday, January 27, 2015

    Ovaltine, Banana and Peanut Butter Breakfast Smoothie.

    My sister in law has been drinking this smoothie for a while now, and I deciede I would try it.  I really am not a smoothie person, and thought it would be way too much work for breakfast.  Boy was I wrong, this takes 3 minutes to make and is so filling.  I drink this at about 8 in the morning and am not even close to hingry till about 2.  It is very good for you, much better then stopping for a breakfast sandwich.  This really is the perfect smoothie for the morning.

    Prep time: 1 minute
    Cook time: 2 minutes
    Serving size- 1 smoothie

    Ingredients

    • 1 banana (any size you want)
    • 2 heaping tablespoons of ovaltine
    • 2 heaping tablespoons of peanut butter
    • 1.5 cups of ice
    • 1 cup of milk
    Directions

    1. In your blender place all ingredients and blend for about 2 minutes.
    2. Enjoy!

    Thursday, January 22, 2015

    Home-made Taco Seasoning

    This may sounds like a very easy recipe, but I never knew how easy it was to make your own taco seasoning.  I have tried many different mixtures of spices, and this is definitely the best tasting.  This is 1000 times better for you than using the packaged seasoning, and cheaper.  This cuts out all the preservatives, and really can't beat the taste.

    Serving size: This particular recipe is for 1.5 pound of ground beef/ ground turkey
    Prep time: 5 minutes

    Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon chili powder
    • 1/2 tablespoon of garlic powder
    • 1 tablespoon of onion powder
    • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
    • 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning
    • 1 teaspoon of paprika
    • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
    Directions

    1. When your taco meat is done browning remove from heat, and add 1/4 cup of water. (I do not like my tacos with any sauce, so if you want more liquid you can add)
    2. Add the above ingredients, and mix well
    3. Enjoy!
    Final Product

    Friday, January 9, 2015

    Skinny Bang Bang Chicken

    When I was in my first job I loved going to happy hours.  One of my favorite happy hours was at Bonefish Bar and Grill.  I would never get dinner, only appetizers and drinks.  They have this appetizer called Bang Bang Shrimp, and it was seriously one of my favorite appetizers EVER.  I was on the search for the recipe, but everyone I at   was pretty unhealthy.  I found a skinny version, and was so excited to try it.  It did taste different than the sauce at Bonefish, but it was equally as delicious, and a lot better for you.  I decided also to do it over chicken, and not shrimp.

    Prep time: 5 minutes
    Cook time: 15 minutes
    Serving size: 4 people
    Recipe adapted from:  The Cookie Rookie

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts (I used the thin sliced ones)
    • Adoba seasoning 
    • 1 5.3 oz container of plain Greek yogurt
    • 3 tablespoons of sweet chili sauce
    • 1.5 tablespoons of Siracha sauce
    • .5 teaspoons of sugar
    • 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
    • Green onions for topping.
    Directions

    1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
    2. While oven is pre-heating sprinkle your chicken breasts with Adoba
    3. Bake chicken for 10-15 minutes (until cooked through)
    4. While chicken is baking, place you Greek yogurt, sweet chili sauce, Siracha, sugar and garlic in a small bowl and mix well.
    5. Once your chicken is cooked, place your sauce on top of chicken and place back in the oven for 3 minutes to warm sauce.
    6. Serve over your choice of rice or pasta, and sprinkle with green onions
    Final Product


    Tuesday, January 6, 2015

    Blackened Cajun Chicken

    Now that the holiday's are over, and I have ate all my leftover I get to cook again.  I received a lot of  fun cooking things for Christmas, that I am very excited to use!  I went out to dinner with my mom and had a blackened chicken, and it was really good.  I wanted to figure out how to make it and finally tried last night.  This was so easy to make, and it was really good.  It had a different taste then the restaurant (I believe they blacken theirs on a grill) but I liked it just as much!

    Prep time: 5 minutes
    Serving size: 4 people
    Cook time: 20 minutes
    Recipe adapted from: Flavor Mosaic

    Ingredients

    I did not use measurements on the seasonings, because you only need to sprinkle the seasonings on each piece of chicken.
    • Paprika
    • Salt
    • Cayenne pepper
    • Italian seasoning
    • Black pepper
    • Onion Powder
    • Garlic Powder
    • 1 pound of boneless skinless chicken breasts
    • 1 tablespoon of olive oil'
    Directions

    1. Place your chicken on a large plate, and sprinkle both sides with each of the seasonings.
    2. While seasoning your chicken, place oil in a large pan with a lid, and let heat.
    3. Once oil is heated place your chicken in pan, and cover.
    4. Cook for 6-8 minutes on each side (until blackened!)
    5. Enjoy,
    I served my chicken with yellow rice and corn, and it was a great combination.

    Final Product