Kale veggie juice

16 kale leaves

2 organic carrots

2 celery stalks

1 seedless cucumber

1/2 lemon

3 inches of ginger root 

Juice veggies and drink immediately. 

Wrap cucumber (or other veggie ei carrots or celery) with kale leaves to maximize the extraction. 

Drink up! 

Bon Apetit. 

Ground chicken garbanzo nachos

Oh today I didn't want to slave in the kitchen so I stirred up this quick, tasty, easy meal. 

Thinking I was just having dinner alone tonight I just thaw out a small bag of ground chicken. At the last minute I was having two more mouths to feed. 

Thank goodness for my "go to" can staples in my pantry. Although I prefer to cook with fresh (or dried, ei. Garbanzo beans)  items when cooking meals but its wise to stock up on some can goods in case you are in some last minute bind. 

 For vegan friendly just omit the poultry & cheeses and replace with plant cheese and add more veggies.

Enough said ok here is what you'll need. 

Ingredients

1 can garbanzo rinsed 

1 jalapeño pepper seeded & diced

1 florida avocado peeled & diced 

1 plum tomato

1/2 c black olives sliced

1 c shredded lettuce (or greens if choice)

1/4 c shredded cheese of choice *optional

1/2 c chopped onions

1 c of ground chicken *optional **see note

1/4 c chopped onions

1/4 tsp homemade taco seasoning or seasoning of choice 

Toppings *optional

 light sour cream

Salsa verde, taco sauce, hot sauce or any sauce of choice. 

1 dollop of light sour cream *optional

A hand full or two of Veggie & Flaxseed Tortilla chips (or any tortilla chips of choice)

Note

**For homemade taco seasoning recipe , check my blog - a previous post. 

Directions

If using ground chicken. 

In a non-stick skillet over medium high heat add ground chicken, taco seasoning  and cook for about 3 minutes. With wooden spoon break up the meat chunks. Cook for about 5-7 minutes stirring occasionally. Set aside. 

In a salad bowl add tortillas, onions, olives, tomatoes, lettuce , garbanzo beans and jalapeños and toss. Add ground chicken, sprinkle cheese and dollop with sour cream. 

You can drizzle salsa verde, hot sauce or any taco sauce of choice. Yum. 

Dig in. 

Bon Apetit! 

Banana berry smoothie

Craving something creamy but good for you. Try this delicious smoothie. You won't regret it. 

1/2 c blue berries

1 banana

1/2 c strawberries

1 c greenway natural vanilla almond milk

1 c greenway organic low fat yogurt

1/4 c oats 

Blend away and enjoy! 

Bon Apetit! 

Pork Parmesan Sandwich

Oh boy this was easy and so darn good.

No fuzzing over the stove its Friday! A quick meal made at home. 

  This sandwich can even be done with poultry or Tofu. Using firmed tofu and a plant base cheese with all the other ingredients mentioned here and you got yourself a a succulent vegan sandwich. Trader Joe's have excellent variety of Tofu and plant base cheeses to choose. 

The same goes for the artisan bread choose French bagetts, Italian, Cuban or any grain you wish.  

Lets get cooking! 

Ingredients

1 c freshly grated Parmesan Reggiano

1/2 c whole wheat plain bread crumbs 

1/8 black pepper

1 tsp Mrs Dash garlic & herb

1 tsp Mrs Dash onion & garlic

2 pork cutlets thinly sliced/pounded w/ the flat side of your meat mallet or any heavy large serving spoon will do

Season lightly w/ salt & pepper *optional

1 16 oz can of crushed tomato

Pinch of sugar 

Pinch of red pepper flakes 

Pinch of sea salt & black pepper

1/8 tsp dry oregano

1/8 tsp dry thyme

2 tbsp unsalted butter melted w/ 1/2 tsp grated garlic 

2-4 slices of mozzarella (whole/part skim or plant base)

12 inch freshly baked artisan bread halved & sliced vertically (hero, whole wheat/Italian/French/Cuban or any grain baked bread)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350.

Line with foil a flat baking pan. Add a rack on top and set aside. 

In a saucepan on medium high heat add crushed tomato, oregano, thyme, red pepper flakes, sugar, pepper & salt. Stir and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes. Lower the flame and simmer for another 5 minutes then set aside. 

Rinse and pat dry and season cutlets with sea salt & black pepper. Set aside. 

In a medium bowl mix your freshly grated Parmesan, black pepper, Mrs Dash garlic & herb, Mrs Dash onion & garlic. Stir with fork. Set aside. 

Melt the butter w/ the grated garlic. Set aside. 

Brush the melted butter on both sides of the cutlets. Drizzle a bit on butter just enough coat both side with the Parmesan bread crumbs. * Don't dip the brush used on raw pork  in the butter because you will use what's left of it later. 

 Fold a piece of foil (creating a tent like shape) over the cutlets. Bake for 10-12 minutes. 

Half way through (5-6 minutes in) remove foil and bake for the time remainder. 

Remove cutlets while still on rack and set aside. Discard foil that laid on baking dish and replace with new foil.  Set aside.

Lay your halved artisan bread on to the foiled baking pan. Remove some the access bread dough to it may toast better. Drizzle what's left of the garlic butter to the inside part of the bread. 

Bake to toast a bit the artisan bread. This may take about 2-3 minutes. 

Remove bread and spoon the marinara sauce over inside of the bread. Add the cutlet and then mozzarella. 

Switch oven setting to broil. Broil open sandwich till cheese melts. Remove and add more marinara. 

Plate and serve. 

Delicious!

Bon Apetit 

 

Turkey Quinoa Kale Meatloaf , Mash Potato & Mushroom Gravy & cole slaw

This evening I created a lighter version to our meatloaf, mash potato & cole slaw dinner. 

Oh boy this was delicious and good for you. 

Instead of using the basic ground beef I used 93% ground turkey meat. 

I added quinoa and kale to my meat mixture so I may use less meat. Added a filling that's nutrional and satisfying. With out losing flavor.  (FYI - if you are using all ground turkey breast be advise that this cut may dry up when its cooked. So I would combine it ground turkey meat (dark meat) and ground turkey breast (white meat) to help it stay juicy).  

Ingredients

Meatloaf 

10 ounces of 93% lean ground turkey

(Used only half of a 20 oz package)

1 1/2 c kale chopped

1 c quinoa cooked

1/2 c red onion chopped

2 celery stalks chopped

1 1/2 tbsp chicken bouillon powder

1/8 tsp black pepper

2 tsp ketchup 

Mashed Potato 

2 c mashed potato flakes or 2 medium cooked potatoes mashed) 

1 c lactose free milk

1/8 tsp sea salt

1/8 tsp blk pepper

2 tbsp unsalted butter

Mushroom Gravy

1 tbsp corn starch (thicking agent) *otherwise I would use all purpose for this recipe

Water 

1/4 c dry sherry

1/8 tsp thyme (fresh or dry)

1 tbsp red onion chopped

1/2 c chicken broth

2 med white button mushroom sliced

Coleslaw

2 1/2 c cabbage chopped or shredded 

1 carrot shredded

1/8 tsp celery seed

1/8 tsp black pepper

1/4 c apple cider vinegar

1 tsp mayonnaise (I used hellmann)

1 tsp sugar crystals (use sweetener of choice)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350. 

Line baking pan with foil or cooking spray and set aside. 

In a large bowl add ground turkey, kale, onions, celery, chicken bouillon, black pepper & quinoa.

As you can see I refrained from having to use egg, bread crumbs or milk as we known many use. Instead I used cooked quinoa (left over from the other night) chopped kale for added nutrients. 

I apologize for the horrible picture. The lighting was just terrible. I'm working on it. 

Shape your meatloaf as best you can if you are not using a meatloaf/bread pan. As you can see it held together beautifully. No need for egg or milk. 👌 

Create a tent like shape with your foil over the meatloaf. Bake for 20-25 minutes. 

Salad 

Add your chopped cabbage and carrots to a salad bowl and set aside. 

Whisk  together in a small bowl vinegar, mayo, celery seeds, black pepper & sugar. Taste test the dressing to your liking. For me it was a perfectly balance. 

Retrieve your bowl with the cabbage, carrots and drizzle you coleslaw dressing. Toss to coat evenly. Cover with Saran Wrap and chill in fridge for at least 20 minutes or till serving.

Gravy

I did not have any all purpose flour in my food pantry to make a rue so I used cornstarch to thicken the gravy. 

In a small bowl whisk cornstarch and water so all lumps are gone. Set aside. 

In saucepan over medium high heat add butter & thyme. As the butter melts through add the sliced mushrooms and onions. Let onions get a bit translucent then add the sherry & chicken broth. 

Simmer for about 2-3 minutes. Stirring continuously with wooden spoon drizzle the cornstarch slowly. Keep stirring till desired thickness. Add water if needed. Once achieve turn stove off and set aside. 

Check your meatloaf, remove foil and spoon your ketchup over the top. Change your oven setting to broil. Broil for another 3-5 minutes or until the ketchup is darkened enough for you. Then turn oven off and let meatloaf set while you make your mashed potatoes. 

Mashed Potatoes

I forgot to take a picture of my mashed potatoes cause the family began arriving and was so ready to chow down. 

I normally make my potatoes from scratch but I forget to get a bag potatoes when I went to the grocery store yesterday. So again I had to improvise. 

Follow the package instructions for the potato flakes. If making plain mashed potatoes from scratch, broil/boil or steam your potatoes, mash them adding milk, salt, pepper and butter. (FYI - I found steaming potatoes taste the best and the fastest to cook).

Remove coleslaw from fridge. Slice meatloaf and begin plating. 

So delicious. Please let me know when you have tried this version. We all loved it here at home and would hope the same for you at yours. 💋

Bon Apetit!!

Honey-mustard Pork loin wrapped with hardwood smoked bacon & lemon vinaigrette frisée avocado tomato salad

What to make today? I asked myself this chilly morning. Didn't have a clue, so I headed to the grocery store to see what look interesting. And behold, I found this beautiful pork loin. Hmm, I grabbed some thick smoked bacon and some greens to pair up with. 

Super easy. No fusing over a stove. Voila!! A satisfying & succulent meal. 

Usually I use thin lean turkey bacon, but I switched it for the thick regular bacon. Pork without bones usually comes out dry. So I figured this bacon will help it keep moist with the honey mustard. 

It surely worked!

Juicy and so delicious. 

Ingredients

1 1/4 lb. Pork loin 

1 tsp heaping full Dijon mustard

1 tbsp local honey

2 garlic cloves minced

Sea salt

Black pepper

6-8 Thick hardwood smoked bacon

Oven dish w/ rack 

Aluminum foil 

3 cooking twine or several toothpicks

12 asparagus spears julienne 

1/2 c grape tomatoes halved

1/2 bunch frisée salad

1/2 bunch mixed greens

1 small ripe Florida avocado sliced/cubed

Juice of half 1/2 lemon

1/4 c extra virgin olive oil 

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

1/8 teaspoon sea salt 

Directions 

Preheat oven at 350.

In a small bowl mix mustard, garlic & honey. Set aside. 

Prep a oven dish with rack and set aside. 

Wash loin and pat dry with paper towel. 

If using cooking twine lay them across the rack.Transfer the loin on top on the cooking twine (if you are using it) that you just laid on top of the rack. 

Season the loin with black pepper and sea salt on all sides. Stir honey mustard well then spoon it over the loin. Sample the honey mustard you may want to add more mustard or honey. For me this was just fine. 

 Now lay the thick bacon lengthwise covering the top and sides of the loin. Use the toothpick here (if your using instead) to help the bacon stay put while cooking. 

Take a large piece of aluminum foil and create a tent like shape over the loin. 

Bake for about 45 to an hour. We like our meats well done. Juicy but well done. However, you may reduce the time to accomodate your preference of how you like your meats cooked. 

Check your loin and push back or remove foil all together. Change oven settings and broil for another  15-20 minutes or until bacon is nicely crunchy (to your liking). 

Remove your loin and transfer it to cutting board to rest. Use the same foil and cover the top of your loin as it rest. 

Meanwhile...

In a medium pan bring water to a boil. 

Rinse your all produce (except the avocado) using for this salad and add them to your salad bowl. Set aside. 

In a small bowl add salt, pepper, lemon juice and whisk extra virgin olive oil. Drizzle vinaigrette over your salad. 

Back to the loin -  remove foil, cooking wire/toothpicks and slice loin to your desired thickness. 

Dinner is served. Enjoy this delicious juicy loin and salad as we did. Yum. 

Serves 2 - 4

Bon Apetit! 

 

Mussels & Italian Sausage Tomato Soup w/ garlic bread & Open Apple Pie sprinkle w oatmeal streusel

1 lb of mussels washed & debeaked

Juice & zest 1 lemon

1/2 c parsley

1/2 c basil

3 garlic cloves minced

1 medium potato 

2 Italian sausages sliced

1 can of tomatoes diced

Cracked pepper

pinch of red pepper flakes

2 small shallots

2 c Mussels broth

1/4 c dry sherry

1 tsp olive oil 

1 c of water

1 Italian artisan bread 

Olive oil

Buttered garlic 

Directions 

Preheat oven 350 degrees. 

Line flat baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside.

Wash mussels and remove beards. Discard any mussels that are cracked and or open. 

At medium high heat , In a 1 quart pot add olive oil and sausage that has been removed from its casing. Brown sausage on all sides then add potatoes and onions.

Once onions are translucent add diced tomatoes, mussels, water, dry sherry, lemon juice, lemon zest, cracked pepper, pepper flakes, garlic, fresh parsley & tsp fresh basil leaving about tsp of each for garnish. Let simmer for about 15-20 minutes until mussels are completely open. 

Meanwhile, julienne Italian bread and brush with garlic butter and olive oil on both side of the bread. Lay on baking sheet. Toast bread for about 3-5 minutes or until slightly golden. 

Plate and serve the mussels soup and garnish with the fresh herbs, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and the toasted garlic bread. Yum !! 

Dessert is the Open Apple Pie & oat streusel topped with almond milk ice cream. For recipe Click on recipe for it. 

Chocolate & Banana wheat, oats breakfast muffins

Oh my goodness ladies and gents. I am so happy that my very first chocolate & banana wheat oats breakfast muffins turned out deliciously! 

1 c oats

1 c whole wheat flour

2 tbsp flax seed

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1 c fage Greek yogurt

2 eggs

2 ripe frozen bananas

1/2 c farmland skim plus milk

2 1/2 semi sweet mini chocolate morsels

2 tbsp raw sugar or nature sugar crystals

2 tbsp virgin coconut oil

1/2 c freshly squeezed orange juice

1 tsp vanilla extract

 

Directions 

In a food processor add oats, flax seed till they turn to powder form. Then add the whole wheat flour, baking soda and baking powder and pulse to mix evenly. 

In a bowl add eggs, vanilla extract, raw sugar/crystals, orange juice, milk, yogurt, coconut oil and whisk to blend. 

Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir. 

Use the food processor to purée the frozen bananas. 

Now I made 12 muffins. A batch of 6 muffins was with bananas and chocolate chips and the other six just chocolate chips. 

Separated the muffin mix. Folded the banana purée and sprinkled chocolate chips to half the mix and scooped them into a ready muffin tin layered with cupcake paper cups. 

For the remaining muffin mix fold in the remaining chocolate chips. Then transfer to a muffin tin lined with cupcake paper cup. 

Bake for 20 minutes. Muffins will rise and bake beautifully. Insert a toothpick in the center to double check muffins are cooked through (toothpick should be clean). 

These are delicious and very satisfying. Kids approved 👍👍! 

Bon Apetit! 

Steamed Tilapia wrapped in collard green leaf

I

I large Collard green leaf

2 Tilapia Fillets

1 green scallion

1/2 c fresh flat parsley

Sea salt & pepper

1/2 lime juice

4 corn tortillas

1/2 c tomato diced

Will be serving this for fish tacos. 

Let steam for about 15 - 20 minutes for flaky goodness. 

Brussels & Zucchini Veggie Blend

3 celery

3 Brussels sprout

1 carrot

1 lemon

1 cucumber

1/2 collard green 

1 beet

6 beet leaves w/ stems 

1 zucchini

Juice it. 

 Bon Apetit! 

Lime basil beet veggie juice blend

3 celery stalks

1/2 bunch collard greens

1 cucumber

1 carrot

1/2 lime

1/2 bunch cilantro

3 Culantro flat leaves

3 basil leaves

4 beet leaves

2 small beets

Juice it!

Bon Apetit! 

Cuban Style Imperial Chicken Rice Dinner

The first time I tried Imperial Rice was a very good friend of mine back when I lived in Miami. His mother is a chef and made this dish. It looked odd but so incredibly tasty.

Today I figured to make it for my daughter even though I didn't have all the ingredients at hand. 

It was fine, besides she's not too crazy for mayo and peas. So to play it safe I went without. However, it still turned out yummy. This menu feeds well about 3 (cup) servings.

The chicken rice dinner was served with a side salad too. When I first tried this was pair with fried sweet plantains. But I chose a salad because this meal is a bit rich.

It's fairly simply to put together. Just a couple steps to follow. Its great to serve it for large gatherings. Hope you enjoy it!

Ingredients

4 c of homemade chicken broth (or 1 16 oz. can)
2 tbsp Goya olive oil
2 c Long grain rice
1 tbsp sazon con achiote or bijol powder or (tsp of saffron threads in a tbsp of water)
5 grated garlic cloves
1 1/2 c yellow or white onion diced
1 tsp dry oregano
1/2 c dry cooking wine or sherry

About 3 inch piece of green pepper
Juice of a lime
1/2 c frozen peas *optional
1/2 c grated parmesan cheese
2 tbsp hellmanns mayo *optional
3 tbsp tomato sauce
1 roasted red bell pepper in jar
1 c of shredded white cheese or spicy Monterrey Jack Cheese
1 skinless/boneless chicken breast
salt & pepper to taste

Directions 

Preheat oven to 325F. 

Chicken

1. Wash chicken. Pay dry with paper towel. Season with sea salt and pepper. Set aside. 

In a non stick skillet on medium high heat add seasoned chicken stirring occasionally with wooden spoon. Sear on all side for about 3 minutes. Add onion, 1/2 of the grated garlic and cook for another minute. Turn off heat and set aside. 

Rice

2. Wash and rinse rice. Set aside. 

In a large sauce pan add rice, the broth,
green pepper, salt/pepper to taste, wine, and Sazon w/ achiote powder. 

Boil rice for about a minute. Stir and reduce heat to low and cover. Let cook for 25 minutes without uncovering pot. 

Once rice is cooked, you now may add the mayonnaise (if you do choose to add it) a spoon at a time and mix throughly. 

In a baking dish, crockpot or Dutch oven layer rice mixture, then chicken and then cheeses. Like you would in a lasagna dish. 

Bake for just 15 minutes and or just until the cheese melts throughly. Serve hot. Garsh with the red bell pepper.

Plate with your choice of sides. Enjoy. 

Bon Apetit!