Homemade Falafel

Homemade Falafel with Tahini Sauce
Ingredients:
2 cups roughly chopped white onion
6 garlic cloves
2 cups cooked chickpeas, drained
1 cup lightly packed parsley leaves
1 cup lightly packed cilantro leaves
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon chili powder
2 teaspoons cumin
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ cup all-purpose flour
Canola oil, for sauteing 
Pita bread, for serving
1¼ cups plain yogurt (full fat or non-fat)
¼ cup tahini (sesame paste)
2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Directions:

Yield: 6-8 servings

Prep Time: 90 min (includes chilling time)

Cook Time: 6 min

For the falafel:

For the tahini sauce:

Add the onion and garlic cloves to the bowl of a food processor and pulse just until they are finely minced. Remove the mixture and set it aside.

Add the chickpeas, parsley, cilantro, salt, chili powder, and cumin to the bowl of the food processor and pulse until they are roughly blended but not pureed.

Return the onion mixture to the food processor, along with the baking powder and just enough flour so that when you pulse the processor, the mixture begins to form a small ball and is not sticky. (Note: Start by adding ¼ cup of flour, and then the remaining ¼ cup. You can add more if the mixture is still too wet.)

Transfer the falafel mixture to a bowl, cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for 1 hour.

While the falafel mixture is chilling, prepare the tahini sauce by whisking together the yogurt, tahini and lemon juice. Season it with salt and pepper, cover it and place it in the fridge.

Once the falafel mixture has chilled, use a small ice cream scoop or spoons to form the mixture into balls (roughly 3 Tablespoons per ball). (Note: You can also add additional flour at this point, if the mixture is too wet to scoop.)

Set a large sauté pan over medium heat and add a liberal amount of canola oil so that the pan is well-coated. Let the pan pre-heat for 3 minutes then add the falafel one by one, browning them on the first side for 3 minutes, then flipping them once and browning the second side until the mixture is cooked throughout.

Transfer the falafel to a paper towel-lined cooling wrack and immediately season them with salt. Repeat this process until you have cooked all of the falafel.

Place three or four falafel inside a halved, warmed pita and drizzle with the prepared tahini sauce.

Recipe and picture from Just A Taste.

Sriracha Chicken Salad

This looks so yummy and easy to make!

1 deboned rotisserie chicken

1 bag coleslaw

1 cup plain Greek yogurt

Sriracha to taste

Combine all ingredients in large bowl and enjoy! 

Makes approximately 8 servings.

Recipe and picture from Kristen's Losing It Blog.

Acai Bowl

I'm going to dive into the Acai Bowl trend as soon as I move. This looks so easy to make!!

How to Make a Homemade Acai BowlMakes 1 bowl
Ingredients1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
2 Sambazon unsweetened acai smoothie packs, thawed for 30 minutes or run under hot water for a few seconds
1/2 large frozen ripe banana
1 tsp honey or agave nectar (vegan if using agave nectar)
2/3 cup frozen mixed berries*
1/2 cup granola or cereal*
*You can great creative with your toppings.  These are simply my go-tos.  I often see people topping their bowls with fresh banana slices, shredded coconut, nuts, and/or seeds.
Directions1. Place almond milk, acai smoothie packs, banana, and honey or agave nectar  into high-powered blender.
2. Blend until well-combined and all chunks have disappeared.  The texture will be similar to a very thick smoothie.
3. Poor acai mixture into bowl and top with desired toppings.  I always select frozen mixed berries and granola for mine.
Recipe and photos from Clean Eating Veggie Girl.

“Fried" Honey Bananas

Fried Honey Bananas

Serves 1

1 slightly under-ripened banana, sliced

1 tablespoon honey

Cinnamon

Olive oil

Lightly drizzle olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Arrange banana slices in pan and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side.

http://rachelschultz.com/2013/05/15/fried-honey-bananas/

Chicken Paprikash

Chicken Paprikash

  

1/4 cup canola oil

1 large onion, thinly sliced

2 red bell peppers, thinly sliced

3 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced

1/4 cup sweet Hungarian paprika, plus more for sprinkling

1 1/2 teaspoons caraway seeds, ground

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

6 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth

2 bay leaves

2 thyme sprigs

Salt and freshly ground pepper

2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces

1/2 cup fat-free sour cream

In a large enameled cast-iron casserole or Dutch oven, heat the oil until shimmering. Add the onion, bell peppers and garlic and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until just beginning to brown, about 8 minutes. Add the paprika, caraway and flour and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the stock, bay leaves and thyme sprigs, season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Simmer over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until the peppers are very tender and the sauce is thickened, about 1 hour.

Add the chicken to the sauce and cook over high heat until just white throughout, about 6 minutes. Discard the bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Spoon the chicken into bowls, and top with sour cream. Sprinkle with paprika and serve.

NOTES One Serving 257 cal, 10 gm fat, 1.5 gm sat fat, 11 gm carb, 2.3 gm fiber.

http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/chicken-paprikash

Homemade Healthy Barbecue Sauce

 

Homemade Healthy Barbecue Sauce

Yield: 1 1/2 cups

Serving Size: 2 tablespoons

Calories per serving: 15

Fat per serving: 0 grams

Ingredients

• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 2 Tablespoons dijon mustard
• 2 Tablespoons low sodium tamari (You can use regular soy sauce if you want, or coconut aminos for a soy and grain free option.)
• 1 teaspoon molasses
• 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3 packets stevia (You can use more or less, depending on how sweet you want your sauce.)
• 1 teaspoon liquid aminos
• salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. In a medium-large bowl, whisk all ingredients together until thoroughly combined. Add salt and pepper to taste. That's it!

http://www.foodiefiasco.com/homemade-healthy-barbecue-sauce/

Cream Cheese Pancakes

Cream Cheese Pancakes

Yield: Four 6-inch pancakes

Serving Size: 1 pancake

Ingredients

• 2 oz cream cheese
• 2 eggs
• 1 packet stevia (or any) sweetener
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

• Put all ingredients in a blender or magic bullet. Blend until smooth. Let rest for 2 minutes so the bubbles can settle. Pour 1/4 of the batter into a hot pan greased with butter or pam spray. Cook for 2 minutes until golden, flip and cook 1 minute on the other side. Repeat with the rest of the batter. Serve with sugar free syrup (or any syrup of your choice) and fresh berries.

http://www.ibreatheimhungry.com/2012/01/cream-cheese-pancakes.html

Cauliflower Bread Sticks

Cauliflower Bread Sticks 

Ingredients:
1 cup raw grated cauliflower or 100 grams (2 Greens)
1/4 cup egg (whites for Phase 2) substitute * you are able to add up to 2 oz of additional protein per Nutrition Support
1 cup shredded or 4 oz 2% light mozzarella, divided (1 Lean)(leave off for Phase 2)
Garlic salt and Italian seasonings, to taste

Marinara Sauce
1/2 cup Italian diced tomatoes - less than 5 g of carbs per serving (1 Green)
You can also use Walden Farms Marinara Sauce, but 1/4 cup is considered to be 2 condiments and is not a vegetable. You would have to add a third of veggies to your meal if you choose this option. 

Directions:
Puree Italian diced tomatoes in a small chopper. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 350. Mix cauliflower, 1/4 cup egg substitute, and 3 oz or 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella together in a bowl until combined. Line a 9 x13 loaf pan with parchment and lightly spray with Pam. Pour mixture into pan about 1 -1/2 inch deep. (It is okay if the mixture does not cover the entire pan). Bake at 350 for 30 min or until set. Lift the edges of the parchment and place bread with parchment on to cookie sheet. Carefully use a spatula to lift the edges of the dough off the parchment and flip the dough. Bake for an additional 15 minutes at 450 degrees. Take out of oven and with a pizza cutter, slice strips through set dough. Separate slightly. Sprinkle with garlic salt, Italian seasonings and 1 oz or 1/4 cup 2% reduced fat mozzarella or three cheese blend. Continue baking at 450 degrees for about 10 more minutes until cheese is melted. Serve with marinara sauce.

1 Complete Lean and Green Meal, No Healthy Fat Required

Found on Sandy's Kitchen: Cauliflower Bread Sticks

http://myhcgdietrecipeblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/cauliflower-bread-sticks-hcg-phase-2-3.html

Fauxtato Skin

Fauxtato Skin

Ingredients:

• 1 Medium Sized Eggplant
• 1 tablespoon Garlic Powder
• Grassfed Cheese
• 4 Green Onions
• Bacon 
• 2-3 tablespoons Avocado Oil (or Olive Oil, or non-corn /soy based oil of your choice)

Directions:

• Preheat your oven at 350°C
• Slice eggplant into rounds (the thinner the slice the more crispy and the shorter cooking time)
• Rub both sides of the eggplant with oil, and place on to baking sheet
• Sprinkle a small amount of Garlic powder onto top of each eggplant round
• Bake for 15 minutes (may do more or less depending on how thin your rounds are)
• While eggplant is baking, cook bacon until almost crispy and crumble
• Remove eggplant from oven and grate cheese on top of each round
• Sprinkle top of each eggplant with crumbled bacon
• Bake for another 5 minutes, then ENJOY! 

http://bayareastylefile.blogspot.com/2013/09/fauxtato-skin-recipe.html

Brown Sugar Spiced Baked Chicken

Brown Sugar Spiced Baked Chicken

Serves 3-4

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons paprika
1 teaspoon oregano
1 tablespoon garlic powder
Salt & pepper

Pour brown sugar, paprika, oregano, garlic powder, and salt & pepper into a plastic bag. Add chicken breasts and seal. Shake to coat chicken.

Leave chicken in fridge for 1-3 hours (or even overnight) to absorb flavors. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Arrange chicken breasts on a lined baking sheet. Bake for 20-23 minutes.

http://rachelschultz.com/2013/09/30/brown-sugar-spiced-baked-chicken/

Baked Parsnip Fries

Baked Parsnip Fries

What you will need:

• 4- 5 parsnips
• 3 tbs of olive oil
• 1/2 tsp of sea salt
• 1/2 tsp of pepper
• 1/2 tsp of garlic powder

Directions:

1. Wash and peel the parsnips.
2. Cut them into french fry like slices. Try to make them all pretty similar in size so they bake evenly.
3. Place all the ingredients into a bowl and toss parsnip slices into mixture making sure to coat them all evenly.
4. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (easy cleanup) and bake at 400 degrees for 3o minutes. Turn them once while baking. After 20 minutes check on them. A little crispy brown texture is what you are looking for. If they look done before the 30 minutes is up take them out.
5. Consume!

http://www.delightedmomma.com/2012/01/baked-parsnip-fries.html

Fried Honey Bananas

Fried Honey Bananas

Serves 1

1 slightly under-ripened banana, sliced
1 tablespoon honey
Cinnamon
Olive oil

Lightly drizzle olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Arrange banana slices in pan and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side.

Meanwhile, whisk together honey and 1 tablespoon of water. Remove pan from heat and pour honey mixture over banana.

Allow to cool and sprinkle with cinnamon.

http://rachelschultz.com/2013/05/15/fried-honey-bananas/

Baked Cauliflower Poppers

Baked Cauliflower Poppers

What you will need:

• 2 heads of cauliflower
• 1/4 cup of olive oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Wash and clean the cauliflower. Cut off and discard the stem. Cut the cauliflower up into small pieces.
3. In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, salt and pepper. Add the cauliflower pieces and thoroughly coat each piece.
4. Place cauliflower pieces onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for one hour and turn 3 times during cooking until each piece has a nice brown coloring. The browner they are the better.
5. Remove from oven and enjoy!

http://www.delightedmomma.com/2012/01/baked-cauliflower-poppers.html

Bacon Jalapeno Deviled Eggs

Bacon Jalapeno Deviled Eggs

Author: StaceyBacon

Ingredients

• 12 large eggs, hard boiled and peeled
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1½ tsp rice vinegar
• ¾ tsp ground mustard
• ½ tsp sugar
• 2 jalapenos, seeded and chopped
• 6 pieces bacon, cooked, crisp, and crumbled
• paprika

Instructions

1. Slice the hard boiled eggs in half, lengthwise
2. Remove the yolks and put them in a mixing bowl
3. Mash the egg yolks with a fork
4. Add the mayonnaise, rice vinegar, ground mustard, and sugar to the mashed egg yolks and stir until well combined
5. Mix in the jalapenos and bacon
6. Put the mixture in a ziploc bag and cut a small hole in the corner of the bag
7. Fill each egg hole with the mixture
8. Sprinkle with paprika
9. Chill until ready to serve

http://www.realhousemoms.com/bacon-jalapeno-deviled-eggs/

Sweet and Spicy Bacon Chicken

Sweet and Spicy Bacon Chicken

4 chicken breasts cut in thirds (12 pieces)

Bacon slices

salt and pepper to taste

garlic powder

chili powder

brown sugar

Cut each breast into 3 pieces, season all the chicken with the spices, then wrap a bacon slice around each piece, roll in brown sugar and place into an oven proof dish....make sure you have some olive oil in the dish too, like 2 or 3 tablespoons is fine {I skipped this since I grilled them.  I honestly think you could coat your dish with nonstick cooking spray instead to save a few calories}.  

Bake at 400 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and bacon is nice and brown and crispy.  Delicious served with mashed potatoes with some of the gravy from the chicken drizzled on top.

http://diaryofarecipeaddict.blogspot.com/2011/07/sweet-spicy-bacon-chicken.html

Skinny Baked Mozzarella Sticks

Skinny Baked Mozzarella Sticks

Skinnytaste.com

Ingredients: 

• 12 sticks part-skim, reduced sodium mozzarella string cheese (Sargento)
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 2 tbsp flour
• 5 tbsp Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
• 5 tbsp panko crumbs
• 2 tsp parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp dried parsley
• olive oil cooking spray (I used my misto)

Directions:

Cut cheese in half to give you 24 pieces. Place cheese in the freezer until cheese is frozen.

In small bowl, whisk the egg. Place the flour on another small dish. In separate bowl,combine bread crumbs, panko, parmesan cheese and dried parsley.

Dip the frozen sticks in flour, shaking off excess, then into the egg, then coat with the crumbs.

Repeat this process with the remaining cheese placing them on a tray with wax paper. Place cheese back into the freezer until ready to bake (this is a must or they will melt before the crumbs get golden).

When ready to bake preheat oven to 400° F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly spray with oil.

Place frozen cheese sticks on baking sheet. Spray the tops of the mozzarella sticks with a little more oil and bake in the bottom third of your oven until crisp, about 4 to 5 minutes. Turn and bake an additional 4 - 5 minutes watching them closely so they don't melt.

Makes 24 pieces.

Sautéed Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta

Sautéed Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta

Skinnytaste.com

Ingredients:

• 2 oz pancetta, minced
• 2 lb brussels sprouts (weight after outer leaves and stems removed)
• 1.5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced or sliced thin
• kosher salt and fresh ground pepper

Directions:

With a large sharp knife, finely shred the brussels sprouts after thoroughly washing.

In a deep heavy saute pan, sauté pancetta on medium-low heat until fat melts and pancetta becomes golden, about 5 minutes. Add olive oil and garlic and sauté until golden. Add shredded brussels sprouts, salt and pepper to taste and sauté on medium-low heat for about 4-5 minutes until tender crisp.
Makes about 7 cups.

Mango Coconut Chia Pudding

So gonna make this!! Looks amazing!

Mango Coconut Chia Pudding

www.skinnytaste.com

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup lite coconut milk
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 3/4 cup fresh ripe champagne mango, diced
• 2 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 tbsp sweetened shredded coconut
• 4-6 drops Nu-Naturals liquid stevia (or sugar/honey to taste)

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a large container. Mix well and close container.Refrigerate overnight or at least 5-6 hours.

Divide into 2 bowls or glass dishes and serve. Enjoy!

Baked Parmesan Kale Chips

Baked Parmesan Kale Chips

Skinnytaste.com 

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch kale (12 oz after removed from stems)
• 1 tsp olive oil (spray)
• a sprinkle of sea salt or kosher
• 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly spray two large baking sheets with oil.

Wash and thoroughly dry kale. Remove the leaves from the thick stems and tear into bite sized pieces. 

Place on baking sheets, spray with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.

Bake about 10-12 minutes, turning and moving them around as they shrink to make sure they evenly crisp up.  

Top with shredded parmesan cheese, keeping a close eye on them, bake an additional 5 to 6 minutes until the edges are crisp but not burnt. Time will vary depending on your oven.

Mediterranean Chicken Kebab Salad

Mediterranean Chicken Kebab Salad

Skinnytaste.com 

Ingredients:

• 1 lb skinless boneless chicken breast, cut into 1 inch cubes

For the marinade:

• 2 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp garlic, crushed
• kosher salt to taste
• fresh ground black pepper to taste

For the salad:

• 1 1/4 cups cucumber, peeled
• 1 1/4 cups diced tomato
• 1/4 cup diced bell pepper
• 2 tbsp red onion, diced
• 1/4 cup black olives
• 1 1/2 tsp vinegar
• 1 1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 tsp fresh dillweed
• 1 tsp fresh parsley
• 1/8 tsp dried oregano
• salt and black pepper to taste
• 4 cups shredded lettuce
• 1/2 cup feta cheese, grated (omit for paleo)
• lemon wedges for serving

Directions:

Marinate the chicken at least 2-3 hours or overnight. If using wooden skewers, soak in water at least 30 minutes if grilling outdoors.

Combine the first 12 salad ingredients (cucumbers through salt and black pepper, not the lettuce) and set aside in the refrigerator to let the flavors set.

Thread chicken on 4 skewers and cook on a hot grill (indoor or outdoor grill) until chicken is cooked though, about 10-12 minutes.

Divide lettuce between four plates, top with tomato-cucumber salad, fresh grated feta cheese and grilled chicken. Serve with lemon wedges.