curried chicken tea sandwiches

I am making this recipe for a 1920′s themed book club…

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup flaked coconut
• 1/2 cup chopped almonds
• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons orange marmalade
• 1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 cups diced cooked chicken
• 12 (1/2-inch-thick) pumpernickel, or wheat bread slices
• 3 tablespoons diced green onions

simple spaghetti with kale, lemon & garlic

Ingredients:

• Spaghetti for one (a bundle about the diameter of a dime)
• 2 tablespoons good extra virgin olive oil
• 5 sprigs lacinato kale (droopy kale is fine), very finely chopped
• Pinch red pepper flakes
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1 large garlic clove, finely chopped
• Juice of 1 lemon wedge
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

artichoke flatbread

Ingredients:

• whole wheat flat bread – or for low carb – use Trader Joe’s low-carb tortillas
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 6 cups fresh spinach leaves
• 6 ounces garlic and herb flavored goat cheese, crumbled
• 2 6 ounce jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 1 medium tomato, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

hummus “cheesesteak” hoagies

This recipe is for my fiancé Greg, a Philadelphia native.

Ingredients:

• 4 (3-ounce) hoagie rolls, split
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup vertically sliced yellow onion
• 1 cup thinly sliced red bell pepper
• 1 cup thinly sliced poblano chile
• 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 (8-ounce) container plain hummus
• 4 (1/2-ounce) slices provolone cheese
• Napa Cabbage Slaw

low-carb breakfast burrito

Ingredients:

• 1 low-carb tortilla (I used Trader Joe’s Sonoma Carb Cutting Tortillas – only 60 calories)
• 1 egg, scrambled (with a pinch of salt & pepper)
• 1/2 avocado
• Goat cheese
• 2 slices tomato

chicken pomegranate guacamole tacos

Interesting Pomegranate Fact: Research has shown that pomegranates have more inflammation-fighting antioxidants than red wine or green tea.

Ingredients:

• 4 (4-ounce) boneless and skinless chicken breast halves
• Olive oil cooking spray
• 1 teaspoon salt-free Mexican seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 avocado, peeled
• 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
• 1 lime
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 8 (6-inch) corn tortillas
• 8 tablespoons sliced red onion
• 1 cup shredded red cabbage
• 8 tablespoons crumbled low-fat queso fresco

rainbow quinoa endive boats

My good friend Lindsay made this delicious appetizer. I can’t wait to try it. Thanks for the photo and recipe Lindsay!!

Ingredients:

• Rainbow Quinoa (Trader Joe’s)
• Chopped mushrooms, butternut squash, & zucchini
• Pinch of garlic & onion
• Endive Boats
• Salt and Pepper
• Parmesan cheese (optional)

light spinach & feta frittata

Frittatas are great for dinner but make a great breakfast or brunch too.  Also perfect to make on a Sunday, and have for a low-carb breakfast or lunch during the work week.

Ingredients:

• 2 whole eggs
• 8 large egg whites
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
• 3 scallions, chopped
• 10 oz frozen chopped spinach, thawed
• 2 oz crumbled feta
• 2 tbsp Parmigiano-Reggiano, grated
• salt and freshly ground pepper
• other options: add red/green pepper, asparagus, zucchini

healthy appetizer: endive boats

See Recipe HERE.

mini spinach puffs

I’m having a Christmas party this month, which is why I’m posting so many appetizers! I just made these spinach puffs tonight.

Ingredients:

• 1 10-ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta
• 1/4 cup minced onion
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon chopped dill
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 large eggs
• 1 sheet frozen puff pastry (from a 17.3-ounce package), thawed, rolled out to a 12-inch square, kept chilled
• 1 stand 6-cup muffin tin

cranberry pomegranate goat cheese poppers

Ingredients:

• ½ Cup Chèvre Goat Cheese (crumbled, not firmly packed)
• ¼ Cup Dried Cranberries
• ¼ Cup Pomegranate Arils
• ¼ tsp. Cinnamon
• 1 Tbsp. Maple Syrup
• 1 Puff Pastry sheet cut into 12 squares
• Brown Sugar
• Sea Salt
• Olive Oil

celery & grapefruit salad with parmesan

Ingredients:

• 6 stalks celery, chilled
• 1 grapefruit, chilled
• Pinch sugar
• Extra-virgin olive oil, of finishing quality
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Parmesan cheese

mini ham & cheese quinoa cups

I saw this recipe on The Kitchn via the food blog Iowa Girl Eats. I am going to make these next weekend! They have less than 50 calories each.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked quinoa
• 2 eggs
• 2 egg whites
• 1 cup zucchini, shredded
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup diced ham
• 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
• 2 Tablespoons parmesan cheese
• 2 green onions, sliced
• salt & pepper

crispy quinoa sliders

 

My sister Michelle sent me this recipe she found on How Sweet Eats. Excited to try these.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
• 2 cups vegetable or chicken stock
• 1 cup cooked chickpeas
• 1/2 cup freshly grated provolone cheese
• 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup chopped carrots
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 large egg + 1 egg white, lightly beaten
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 12 whole wheat English muffins
• 2 avocados, sliced for topping
• 1/2 cup chipotle mayo, for topping

roasted squash with parmesan & herbs

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 shallots, diced small
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
• 3/4 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves
• 6 cups Roasted Spaghetti Squash
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
• Coarse salt and ground pepper