Simply Zesty!!

Zesty Taco Salad

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large sweet onion, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups fresh corn kernels or frozen, thawed
• 4 large diced tomatoes
• 1 1/2 cups cooked long-grain brown rice
• 1 15-ounce can black, kidney or pinto beans, rinsed
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon salt ( or lemon juice)
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/3 cup prepared salsa
• 2 cups shredded or chopped lettuce
• 1 cup shredded taco cheese blend
• 2 1/2 cups thin tortilla chips

·       

Preparation

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and corn; cook, stirring, until the onion begins to brown, about 5 minutes. Coarsely chop 1 tomato. Add it to the pan along with rice, beans, chili powder, 1 teaspoon oregano and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until the tomato cooks down, about 5 minutes. Let cool slightly.
2. Coarsely chop the remaining 3 tomatoes. Combine with cilantro, salsa and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon oregano in a medium bowl.
3. Toss lettuce in a large bowl with the bean mixture, half the fresh salsa and 2/3 cup cheese. Serve sprinkled with tortilla chips underneath or around the edge for dipping.

Simply Healthy Cooking 4U: Simply Tasty!!

Simply Healthy Cooking 4U: Simply Tasty!!: Balsamic & Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower Ingredients 8 cups 1-inch-thick slices cauliflower florets, (about 1 large head)...

Simply Tasty!!

Balsamic & Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower

Ingredients

• 8 cups 1-inch-thick slices cauliflower florets, (about 1 large head)
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese

 

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 450°F.
2. Toss cauliflower, oil, marjoram in a large bowl. Spread on a large rimmed baking sheet and roast until starting to soften and brown on the bottom, 15 to 20 minutes. Toss the cauliflower with vinegar and sprinkle with cheese. Return to the oven and roast until the cheese is melted and any moisture has evaporated, 5 to 10 minutes more.

Experiment with other herbs and spices:

• Cajun
• Onion
• Garlic
• Italian bread crumbs 
• Feta Cheese

 Got Leftovers????

Use the electric mixer to make some mashed cauliflower, put it in a baking dish and bake in the oven until warm and serve instead of mashed potatoes.

If you have any other suggestions for leftover cauliflower, comment below and enter to win something healthy!! It's a surprise!!

Simply Healthy Cooking 4U: Simply Sizzlin'!!

Simply Healthy Cooking 4U: Simply Sizzlin'!!: Grilled Mahi Mahi Ingredients: 6 (6 oz.) mahi mahi fish fillets, 1/2" thick Dressing: 3 Tbsp. chopped fresh ...

Simply Sizzlin'!!

Grilled Mahi Mahi

Ingredients:

6 (6 oz.) mahi mahi fish fillets, 1/2" thick

Dressing:

3 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

1/3 cup lemon juice

1/4 cup olive oil

1 Tbsp. honey

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 tsp. salt (you can omit)

1/8 tsp. white pepper

 Preparation:

• Rinse fish and pat dry with paper towels. For dressing, in a small bowl combine cilantro, lemon peel and juice, oil, honey, garlic, and salt. Mix well.
•  Place fish fillets into glass baking pan and pour dressing over; turn fish to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Lightly grease indoor electric grill and preheat or fire up the outside grill.  Drain fish, discarding marinade. Place fish on the grill rack, tucking under any thin edges. If using a covered grill, close lid.
• Grill until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork, about 2 to 3 minutes per 1/2-inch thickness of fish on a two sided grill. On uncovered grill, cook for 4 to 6 minutes per 1/2-inch thickness of fish, turning once halfway through grilling. Makes 6 servings. 

Grilling fish can be tricky. I cheat and use foil on the grill with poked holes because I tend to flip the fish and it gracefully slides between the grates of the grill. 

Tell us your grilling secrets and enter to win a surprise! 

Write in your secrets below and we promise to tell!! (so sign your name:)

 

Simply Creamy!!

 

Homemade Mac and Cheese

Ingredients

• 8 ounces whole-wheat elbow macaroni (2 cups)
• 1 3/4 cups low-fat milk (or unsweetened milk substitute)
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 3 tablespoons of margarine
• 1 cup shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese

 

Preparation

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta until just tender.
2. Melt margarine and add flour until it's smooth.
3. Meanwhile, heat 1 1/2 cups milk in another large pot over medium-high heat until just simmering.
4. Add warm milk a little at a time into the flour mixture, whisking constantly, until the mixture is thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in Cheddar cheese until  melted and creamy. You can return to stove to melt on very low heat and stir continuously until melted.

What do you add to your mac and cheese?? 

****Tell me in the comment section below,
                     and enter to win something healthy this week!!

Simply Grilled !!

 Grilling is a healthy way to cook meats, it allows the fat to drip away. When weather does not permit outside grilling you can broil in the oven for similar results.

 Rosemary Ranch Chicken Kabobs

  Ingredients

  1/4 cup ranch dressing
  1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary
  2-3 skinless, boneless chicken breast - cut into 1 inch cubes
  bamboo sticks

 

 

Directions

1. Take the raw chicken cubes and put them one at a time onto the stick (about 5-6 cubes per stick)
2. Place in a zip bag with rosemary and ranch dressing
3. If not using right away be sure to refrigerate
4. Always allow refrigerated meats to reach room temp before cooking 
5. Remove from baggie and place on hot grill
6. Flip once and turn the heat to low for the last 1/2 of the cooking 

Try different dressings and marinades, share your comments below to be eligible to win something healthy this week!!

Stay Healthy!!

Sandra

Simple and Fun!!

 Cooking can be a chore if you make it one.

Keep it simple. 

Fix meals that only use 4 ingredients.

Take two days a week (usually Sunday & Thursday) and cut up veggies and fruits

Now here is your first recipe and it's healthy too!!

                                  BEEF STROGANOFF

 

1 lb Beef Round Steak, cut into small strips or chunks

1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup

1/2 cup sour cream

1 Package Egg Noodles or Favorite Pasta

DIRECTIONS:

1.) Brown the beef and drain

2.) Cook the pasta according to package directions.

3.) Stir into the Beef>Mushroom Soup,1/2 cup sour cream,1/4 cup of water, stir and heat until hot.   Add cooked noodles, Mix and serve immediately.

You can feel free to make substitutions and then add  your comment in the comment section. I will choose a winner every week to get a healthy surprise!! So add those comments !!

Think Healthy!!

Sandra