Category Archives: Healthy Recipes

Spicy Peanut Noodles

I felt like such the inspired chef last night when I came home from tennis starving…. only to find that I was out of leftovers!  I was just about to run out the door to pick something up, when it hit me—Spicy Peanut Noodles. Granted, I had no recipe and had never tried it before, but I had all the right ingredients. It came out delicious!

Ingredients:

  • Whole wheat spaghetti noodlesIMG_0951
  • Cooking oil spray
  • Garlic
  • Thinly chopped veggies (I used red bell pepper, carrots, purple cabbage, spinach and edamame)
  • Dry roasted, unsalted peanuts
  • Tofu (optional)
  • Spicy Peanut Vinaigrette from Trader Joe’s (pictured) or some other spicy peanut sauce

Directions:

  1. Cook pasta according to directions
  2. Heat oil in skillet.  Add veggies, garlic, peanuts and tofu.  Stir fry for 3-4 minutes, stirring.
  3. When pasta is done, toss everything together!  Add peanut sauce to taste.

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Itching for more recipes?  Check out my friend Kristen’s Mint Pesto Linguini with Chicken over at Simply Savor!

Fancy Fish Dinner in 5 Minutes or Less!

Reading the All Pro Diet inspired me to try to eat more fish. Fish is a great source of healthy omega-3 fatty acids and lean protein.  So, the past 2 nights I’ve whipped up 2 different simple and delicious fish dinners, both in under 5 minutes.  Here’s how I did it:

image Night #1: Grilled Salmon with Spinach and Whole Wheat Couscous

I made this recipe using my beloved George Forman Grill.  I highly recommend getting one for quick and simple meals!  Steps:

  1. Warm up the George Forman grill
  2. Sprinkle lemon pepper seasoning on a filet of fresh salmon
  3. Cook on the grill for 1 minute
  4. Finish cooking the fish in the microwave.  It usually takes about 1 minute, depending on the thickness of the filet. Check to make sure fish is cooked all the way through. Finishing the cooking in the microwave keeps the fish nice and moist!
  5. While that’s cooking, prepare the spinach using my “20 second spinach” recipe and cook the couscous according to package directions (cooks in 5 minutes).

That’s it!  A delicious, date-worthy meal in minutes! I love the way the grill makes the salmon crisp on the outside, warm on the inside.

Night #2: Poached TilapiaIMG_0967

Tilapia is a mild, white fish.  Simmer it in a delicious sauce of your choice, and  serve with brown rice or couscous and fresh steamed vegetables.  I used Trader Joe’s Eggplant Caponata, which I would give a B-. It was a little too salty/green olivey for me (but if you like green olives—go for it!).  Try any simmer sauce that tickles your fancy, such as Indian Korma, Thai Curry, or Mexican salsa.  Here’s how it’s done:

  1. Spray a skillet with canola oil, add your filet of fresh tilapia
  2. Pour the simmer sauce of your choice all over the fish and cover the skillet with a lid.  (Throw in a few veggies too if you like!)
  3. Simmer for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally to keep fish from sticking.
  4. Serve with the sides of your choice.IMG_0962

Viola! Even I can’t believe how simple this was!

One Pot Moroccan Stew

Moroccan Stew

Moroccan Stew

This dish is a simple and delicious way to get in lots of veggies.  Because you can make it in just one pot, it is easy to make and easy to clean up afterward! Here’s how it’s done:

Ingredients:

  • All of your favorite vegetables, chopped (here I used eggplant, zucchini, spinach and onion)
  • 1 large can of diced tomatoes
  • 1 can of garbanzo beans (you can also cook them from dried beans, but then you have to use another pot!)
  • 1 can of chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 Tablespoon garlic
  • Spices: 1 Tablespoon curry powder, 1 Tablespoon ground cumin, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, dash of salt and pepper
  • 1 cup whole wheat cous-cous or instant brown rice (okay, I actually prepared this in a separate pot and mixed it together afterward.  But I’m pretty sure it would work in one pot if you added a little extra water.)

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients to a large pot, cover and simmer for about 30  minutes or until vegetables are tender!

Note: The key to this recipe is the spices!  Feel free to add greater amounts to taste.

15 minute Sun-dried Tomato Pesto Pasta

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Yum! This recipe is deliciously simple.  Start by gathering the ingredients:

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, chopped into 2 inch pieces (Or leave out if you’re going vegetarian-style!)
  • Cooking oil spray (olive oil preferred)
  • 1 eggplant, cubed
  • 4 cups fresh spinach
  • 10 ounce jar Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto (I like Classico brand, found next to spaghetti sauces at the grocery store)
  • 1/4 cup red wine
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 package whole-wheat spaghetti

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Directions:

  1. In a bowl, stir together pesto, wine, water and balsamic vinegar. Set aside.
  2. Spray a skillet with cooking oil spray. Sautee the chicken over medium high heat, about 2 minutes each side.
  3. Add the eggplant, spinach, and pesto mixture.  Turn heat to low, cover and continue to cook for 6-8 more minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
  4. Cook the pasta according to directions.
  5. When finished, toss everything together and serve!IMG_0915 IMG_0916

Here, I actually cooked the veggies separately from the chicken.  But I would recommend doing it all together for simplicity! The eggplant really takes on the flavor of the pesto and tastes delicious!

This recipe was inspired by the Meals in Minutes Cookbook by the American Heart Association.  Click here to purchase the book on Amazon.

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Take a peek in Nicole’s Recipe Box

It seems that more and more these days, we’re getting our recipes online rather than from cookbooks. I have been using Allrecipes.com for many years now to find tasty new recipes! Check out a few of my favs:

1. Joy’s Prizewinning Trifle: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Joys-Prizewinning-Trifle/Detail.aspx

Photo by Darcey55

Photo by Darcey55

This beautiful dessert is always a hit! And it’s super easy to make it low-fat: simply use low-fat or fat-free sour cream and whipped topping.  Angel food cake is usually already low in fat.  I usually buy a pre-made one to save time.

The fruit is the best part! It brings color and nutrition to this delicious dessert. Decorating the cake with the fruit is fun too!

2. Slow Cooker Meditarranean Stew: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Slow-Cooker-Mediterranean-Stew/Detail.aspx

This delicious stew makes it easy to get in your veggie servings!  I usually experiment with the vegetables (I’ve never actually added the okra yet).  You can also cook this recipe in a pot on the stove to save time! (Cook until tender, about 45 minutes.)  Don’t skimp on the spices!  (I usually add extra!)

3. Butternut Squash Ravioli with Sage Brown Butter Sauce: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Butternut-Squash-Ravioli-with-Sage-Brown-Butter-Sauce/Detail.aspxsoup

This one’s a little time consuming, but oh so delicious! Using wonton-wrappers as suggested in the recipe is a great little trick! I usually just use one wonton wrapper per ravioli and fold it in half. Water works just as well as the egg whites to help it stick. Just don’t use too much squash or the ravioli might burst! (Also, I have yet to add the Parmesan cheese.  The filling tastes great without it! I recommend making it without the cheese, and then adding a little on top if you want it!)

Fresh sage is essential to the sauce! However, instead of using  butter, I saute the sage in a little olive oil, and then add pre-made butternut squash soup (it usually comes in a carton; try Pacific Foods Creamy Butternut Squash Soup.) This substitution will make your recipe low in fat!

So there you have it! What are some of your favorite online recipes?

Looking for an easy way to get a serving of veggies in?

Try this:

1. Throw a heaping handful of spinach on a plate.
2. Spray lightly with cooking oil spray (I prefer olive oil spray)
3. Sprinkle with pepper and a dash of balsamic vinegar
4. Microwave for ~20 seconds

You’ll be amazed at how that huge pile of spinach shrinks down into a few delicious bites!