Showing posts with label appetizer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label appetizer. Show all posts

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Guacamole Deviled Eggs - (AKA - light deviled eggs)

Another way to step up your classic game




Okay so you won't find deviled eggs in any diet book... why? Because it's literally all mayonnaise. 


For lighter deviled eggs, I use guacamole as my base (subbing out the mayo)... and it's AMAZING. You can use homemade guac or store bought 80-100 calorie packs. I've used both with great results. 


Pro tip... Chipotle's guac recipe is at the bottom ;)





Ingredients


  • Hard Boiled Eggs - save yourself the trouble and just buy them hardboiled, seriously $5 at Costco for 24 boiled eggs.
  • Guac: Homemade, or 100- 80 calorie guacamole packs
  • Cilantro, chopped - if your a cilantro fiend like me
  • Touch of Garlic powder
  • Touch of Onion powder
  • Touch of celery salt
  • Green Chili powder - optional
  • Diced tomato and Cilantro garnish - optional

Directions


  1. You know the drill, cut the eggs in half and empty yolks in a bowl
  2. Combine yolks and guac in pleasing quantities, it's not rocket science folks.
  3. Fold in any extra tomato, peppers, or cilantro that you want to add for texture and flavor
  4. Season to your hearts content!
  5. EAT :)


Chipotle Guac:


INGREDIENTS
2 ripe Hass avocados
2 tsp lime juice
2 tbsp cilantro (chopped)
1/4 cup red onion (finely chopped)
1/2 jalapeƱo, including seeds (finely chopped)
1/4 tsp kosher salt

HOW TO DO IT:

1. Choose the right avocado. It should feel squishy yet firm (like the palm of your hand), and be a nice dark green color on the inside.
2. Cut the avocado in half and the remove the pit (carefully!)
3. Scoop the avocados and place in a medium bowl.
4. Toss and coat with lime juice.
5. Add the salt and using a fork or potato masher, mash until a smooth consistency is achieved.
6. Fold in the remaining ingredients and mix well.
7. Taste the guacamole (over and over) and adjust seasoning if necessary.




Make it a party, and try Pesto Deviled Eggs too! :)







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Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Baked Italian Turkey Meatballs



Ingredients

  • ground turkey
  • spinach
  • sundried tomatoes, finely chopped
  • basil, finely chopped
  • rosemary, finely chopped
  • garlic, minced
  • italian seasonings
  • onion, finely chopped
  • egg
  • salt & pepper
  • olive oil
  • bread crumbs (optional)
  • tomato paste (optional) 

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 340
  2. begin sauteing onion, garlic, and rosemary in a pan on medium to medium high heat
  3. add spinach and basil and cook this mixture down until it caramelizes and the liquid is evaporated
  4. set aside and let cool.
  5. Combine turkey, egg, tomato paste, and optional bread crumbs in bowl and mix, but do not over handle your ground turkey at any point or you will end up with tougher meatballs
  6. Add in the caramelized mixture
  7. Form into small meatballs no bigger than 1.5 inches
  8. Bake for 20 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 160. If you care making these meatballs for meal prep, or will freeze them, feel free to cook to 145ish because they will finish cooking when you reheat them. This tip will help keep the moisture of the meatballs intact.

Notes:

Sometimes, I like to use a combination of 94-96% fat free beef and ground turkey for added flavor and moisture. I usually use more turkey than beef.


Friday, June 5, 2015

Spinach Dip

Satisfying, Cheesy, Savory 

This is a very useful recipe. It can be used as a dip for almost anything and it can also be used as a spread on sandwiches, wraps, etc.

Ingredients:

  • Spinach, chopped
  • Laughing Cow Wedges

          Cauliflower Rice Ingredients

  • Cauliflower, finely grated into rice
  • Garlic, very finely minced
  • Onion, very finely minced

          "Chips"

  • Zucchini, sliced into medallions with mandolin
  • Squash, sliced into medallions with mandolin
  • Artichokes
  • Broccoli

Directions:

  1. Turn stove top on low for a saute pan
  2. Set up a double boiler: a pot of boiling water + a glass or metal bowl that sits on top 
  3. Break up cauliflower into florets and blend in Vitamix or food processor until it looks like rice
  4. Garlic and onion may be chopped by hand, mandolin, zester, or food processor - dealers choice
  5. Combine cauliflower rice, onion, and garlic on stove top for a few minutes
  6. Combine spinach, rice, and Laughing Cow cheese in the bowl and stir occasionally until it melts. Note: make sure to adjust the temperature of the boiling water to make sure the water does not over boil into your dip. 


Notes:



You may also want to see:


Pico de Gallo and Zucchini Chips

Spicy, Tangy, Fresh


Heellooooo game day munchies! Hellooo mindless snacking! 


I hate watching sports with people when I am watching what I eat, or having company over at all.. because we all know this means food. Lots of food. The fattier and least healthy the better. I hate having to say, "Oh no thanks, I'm not hungry" because we all know what happens when you tell other people you are watching what you eat. Instead of support, you get the opposite.. 


"You look great! You don't have to watch what you eat"
"Oh please one chip/mozzarella stick/fried you name it wont hurt!"
"Live a little!"


Those of us who watch what we eat know that there are times when we have the strength to have literally just one and run in the opposite direction. Other days, most days, just 1 turns into just 15... just 20... etc and it's a slippery slope from there. 


Its great to have an alternative right there in front of you so you can (more) easily ignore the chip monster rattling around in its securely locked cage. Enter: zucchini medallions. Zucchini is so clutch. I use it in almost everything because it is so versatile. Here, its my chips.


What's so great about this recipe is that you can prepare a typical "game day" or "party" food and have a regular option and a healthy option for the chips! No more feeling left out and looking at everyone with hangry eyes, and people generally pressure you less when they see you enjoying something. Problem solved. Your guests can much on chips and you can grab the zucchini. Honestly, you don't even miss the chips! This is an easy snack to bring to parties too! Bring enough zucchini to bail someone else out of a jam just in case ;) you might save someone else who is trying to watch what they eat.


Its also an amazing snack for munching while watching TV or studying. Satisfies chip cravings and munching cravings. 



Ingredients:

  • Zucchini for "chips" , slice to an appropriate thickness with mandolin

          Pico De Gallo Recipe

  • Tomatoes on the vine (1 or 2), roughly chopped
  • Onion, roughly chopped, or diced with mandolin
  • Cilantro, roughly chopped
  • Limes, squeezed
  • Chile Serrano, roughly chopped, add to taste!
  • Garlic (optional), roughly chopped or whole

Directions:

  1. Roughly chop tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and chilies to food processor
  2. Slice zucchini into medallions 
  3. Serve!