Chicken and Vegetables in Peanut Sauce

Have you ever found a recipe that sounded amazing when you found it?  In retrospect, maybe I shouldn't go recipe hunting when I'm hungry.  I find a lot of recipes that sound good... 

Well, I found this recipe the other day.  It caught my attention and decided to try it.  I needed another recipe for my weekly meals. 

• Chicken = good. 
• Sweet potatoes = good.  
• Red bell peppers = good. 
• Turnips = okay.  
• Peanut butter = YUM!  
• Spicy = LOVE IT!  
• Super easy = AWESOME!

Balsamic Asparagus & Peppers

Even though this recipe says "asparagus and peppers," this goes amazingly well with zucchini, green beans, and practically any other vegetable you love. You can roast these in the oven or on the grill.

Balsamic Asparagus & Peppers

Prep time:  10 minutes

Marinade time: 1-2 hours

Cook time: 10-15 minutes

Sweet-Potato Chicken Stir-Fry

Put down the salt and try this low-sodium recipe, flavored by heart-smart herbs and spices

photo from Prevention.com


Sweet-Potato Chicken Stir-Fry

Prep time: 25 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4

Cowboy Caviar Two Ways

Cowboy Caviar

from Becky

Prep Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings:  8-12


INGREDIENTS:

2 (15 oz.) cans black eyed peas
1 (15 oz.) can black beans
2 cups corn, fresh or frozen
1 cup red onion, minced
1 green bell pepper, small diced
1 red bell pepper, small diced
1 jalapeno, seeded and minced
5 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup minced cilantro
3 scallions, sliced thin
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons kosher salt
Juice of 1 lime

DIRECTIONS:

• Mix all ingredients in a large bowl and toss to combine. 

• Cover and refrigerate at least one hour. 

• Serve with tortilla chips, pita chips, on top of burgers, sandwiches, or on the side of your favorite grilled meats and fish.

Quinoa Cowboy Caviar

from Foodnetwork.com


INGREDIENTS:
1 cup cooked quinoa
¼ cup fresh corn, cut off the cob
¼ cup cooked black beans
¼ cup red bell pepper, chopped
¼ cup chopped red onion
½ lime, juiced
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 avocado, cut into small pieces (or guacamole – whatever you prefer)


DIRECTIONS:

• Rinse and cook the quinoa according to the package instructions.

• Meanwhile combine the corn, black beans, red bell pepper and red onion in a bowl. Toss to combine. 

• Add the cooked quinoa into the mixture, and add the lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste.

• Add chopped avocado right before serving.

Mason Jar Zucchini Pasta Salad with Avocado Spinach Dressing

photo Sugar-Free Mom

Mason Jar Zucchini Pasta Salad with Avocado Spinach Dressing

Author: Brenda Bennett | Sugar-Free Mom

Prep time:  10 mins

Total time:  10 mins

Servings:  2

Gazpacho

Gazpacho

This liquid salad offers up tons of veggies, and it’s easy to take to work in a thermos. 

SERVINGS: 1

2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
2 Tbsp chopped celery
2 Tbsp chopped red bell pepper
2 Tbsp chopped onion
2 Tbsp chopped cucumber with skin
1 Tbsp chopped cilantro
2 Tbsp ground flaxseed
Wedge of lime
Pinch of salt
1 c ice water, divided
Hot sauce

1. COMBINE in a blender or food processor the tomatoes, celery, bell pepper, onion, cucumber, cilantro, flaxseed, squeeze of lime juice, salt, and ¼ cup of the water.
2. PULSE for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the mixture is finely chopped.
3. ADD up to ¼ cup more water and pulse to combine.
4. SEASON to taste with the hot sauce.

NUTRITION (per serving) 348 cal, 93 IU vitamin D, 396 mg calcium, 17 g pro, 36 g carb, 14 g fat, 2 g sat fat, 619 mg sodium, 9 g fiber

Recipe from The 7-Day Slim Down by Alisa Bowman with the editors of Women’s Health,(published by Rodale, which publishes Prevention). 

Texas “Caviar”

Texas “Caviar”

Black-eyed peas are rich in complex carbs, which play an important role in keeping blood sugar levels steady.

SERVINGS: 4

¼ c olive oil
2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced
¼ tsp salt
1 can (15 oz) unsalted black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
1 green bell pepper, chopped
¼ c roasted red pepper strips, drained
½ small red onion, finely chopped
2 gluten-free brown rice tortillas, each cut into 8 wedges

1. WHISK together the oil, vinegar, garlic, and salt in a large bowl. Stir in the black-eyed peas, bell pepper, red pepper, and onion.
2. COVER and chill for at least 2 hours, or until ready to serve.
3. PREHEAT the oven to 400°F. Place the tortilla wedges on a large baking sheet and lightly coat them with cooking spray.
4. BAKE for 6 to 8 minutes, or until lightly toasted. Serve with the black-eyed pea mixture.

NUTRITION (per serving) 249 cal, 5 g pro, 24 g carb, 15 g total fat, 2 g sat fat, 4 g fiber, 317 mg sodium

Recipe from Flat Belly Diet Gluten-Free Cookbook from the editors of Prevention, (published by Rodale, which publishes Prevention). 

Southwestern Chicken Salad With Crispy Tortilla Chips

Wednesday: Southwestern Chicken Salad With Crispy Tortilla Chips

SERVINGS: 4

2 whole-wheat tortillas
1 tsp lime zest
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
2 c cooked chicken
2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp chopped cilantro
16 c mixed lettuce
2 red bell peppers, thinly sliced
½ avocado, sliced

1. HEAT oven to 400ºF.

2. CUT tortillas into quarters and each quarter into two wedges. Place on baking sheet.

3. BAKE until crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.

4. STIR lime zest, garlic, cumin, and red pepper flakes in medium bowl. Add chicken and toss well to coat.

5. COMBINE lime juice, oil, and cilantro in large salad bowl. Add greens, red bell pepper, and avocado and toss well.

6. TOP salad mix with chicken. Place toasted tortilla wedges around edge of salad bowl and serve.

NUTRITION (per serving) 392.5 cal, 38.5 g pro, 25.7 g carb, 10.2 g fiber, 16.1 g fat, 2.6 g sat fat, 254.9 mg sodium, 5.2 g sugar