Recipe: Slow Cooker Stuffed Chicken

What is better than goat cheese? How about goat cheese, spinach, and roasted red peppers stuffed inside a chicken breast?  Yeah it happened.  I followed this recipe as best I could, and the result was pretty tasty.  I will say that this meal prep is kind of messy, but I think the flavors are great.  We didn't even eat this over rice or any starch (for us this is a HUGE victory) so it's really pretty healthy!  If you have leftovers, make sure to take some extra "sauce" from the crock and add it to the tupperware so when you re-heat it will stay...not dry (i can't say the "M" word...grosses me out).  Enjoy!


4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (try to use a pretty thick breast)
1 roasted red pepper, diced
about 1/2 a bag of fresh spinach
goat cheese crumbles
minced garlic
1/2 c. white wine
3/4 cup chicken stock
EVOO
s&p
basil (fresh or dried)




Salt & pepper your chicken.  Gently make a slit on either side of each chicken breast (be sure not to cut all the way through).  Set aside.


In a skillet, wilt the spinach with a bit of EVOO and minced garlic, about 5 minutes.  While that's cooking, stuff the chicken with a few slivers of pepper and as much cheese as you like.  When the spinach is done, add to the chicken.




Add a bit more EVOO to the pan and sear the chicken on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. 

 Meanwhile, in your Crock Pot, add the wine and chicken stock.  Once chicken is seared (doesn't need to be cooked all the way through) add to the Crock.  Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours.

If you don't like goat cheese, you could use mozzarella or any other favorite!

Recipe: Curry Chickpea Salad

Chickpeas are magical.  They're so tasty, full of fiber, and take on really any flavor that you want.  I literally just invented this recipe and it came out super tasty.  Curry powder has become one of my favorite ingredients and literally makes me salivate.  If you haven't tried it or you think you're afraid of it...you need to stop it right now.  It IS pretty potent, so you don't need a lot, but it has such wonderful flavor and  it just feels really satisfying.  This is a great salad to make ahead and eat for lunch for a few days in row!


2- 15oz. cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/2 medium red onion, diced
2 stalks celery, chopped
juice of 1 lemon
1/2 tsp. curry powder
2 tbsp. nonfat Greek yogurt
1 tsp. olive oil mayo
s & p

Add chickpeas, celery, and onion to a bowl.  In a smaller bowl, combine half of the lemon juice with the Greek yogurt, curry powder, s&p, and mayo.  Stir to combine and pour over chickpea mixture.  Pour the rest of the lemon juice over the mix and stir to coat. 

if you let this sit in the fridge for a bit, it tastes even better :)

Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Wontons & Greek Coleslaw

This post is extra-special because it's not only appearing here, but HERE! at The Three Bite Rule.  I went to college with Emily, the creator of The Three Bite Rule, and I highly suggest you check out her blog for fun recipes and foodie adventures!  Emily so kindly asked me to guest-blog and I couldn't resist using the opportunity to try a new recipe.


I'm trying (key word) to lose a few lb's before my July wedding, and in doing so, I'm naturally craving the worst foods on the planet.  This recipe is surprisingly low-fat (5 wonton wrappers is only 100 calories, and the chicken is boiled in plain 'ol water and then baked, so no extra fat there...plus wait til you see the coleslaw!) but still tastes like an indulgence.  The wontons would make a great app (oh hey, Superbowl) and the coleslaw is a healthy side made with my favorite Greek yogurt (you can't even tell it's good for you!).  Hope you enjoy these and much as I do...and thanks again to Emily for the opportunity to cross over to another awesome blog!


BUFFALO CHICKEN WONTONS
(this recipe makes a TON of wontons.  You can either cut down the amount of chicken you use or if you don't want to make all of the wontons, you can make as many as you want, freeze the remaining wonton wrappers, and have a buffalo chicken sandwich for lunch the next day with the remaining chicken!  Probably awesome on a salad, too.)


1 package Nasoya wonton wrappers
2-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 bottle Frank's Red Hot (I used Buffalo flavor but i'm sure the Original is just as tasty)
1/4 c. Light Ranch dressing
1 egg white OR water


Boil chicken in water (or chicken broth) for 15 or so minutes until cooked through.  Remove from water and set in a bowl.  Once cool, shred with a fork and season lightly with salt and pepper.  Meanwhile, preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Here's the shredded chicken with the buffalo sauce...this was perfect on a sandwich the next day (said my fiance) and scooped up with celery stalks (said me).

Mix Red Hot and Ranch dressing in a bowl and pour over pulled chicken, mixing to coat.  Arrange wonton wrappers on a sprayed cooking sheet.  Place about 1/2 a teaspoon of chicken into the center of each wrapper.  Using the egg wash or water, lightly brush two sides of the wrapper and bring up into a triangle to meet the other half of the wonton, pinching to secure.  Bake for 10-12 minutes until crispy, flipping once.

I sprayed the pan with olive oil cooking spray, so there was no need for a brush of oil or anything prior to baking.

pre-baked...

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you want a cheesier, creamier, not as healthy wonton, try adding a bit of cream cheese to the chicken mixture.

gorgeous color on the wontons!

GREEK COLESLAW
(this recipe is adapted from Ellie Krieger's recipe found here.  Of course I didn't measure anything TOO accurately, and I left out the caraway seeds.)


1 package Dole shredded coleslaw mix
1/2 c. plain Greek yogurt (I used Chobani 0%)
1 tbsp. honey
1/4 c. mayonnaise (I used Hellmans Olive Oil mayo)
1/4 c. apple cider vinegar
salt & pepper


Combine all ingredients and add to coleslaw mix.  Stir to coat.  Season with salt & pepper.  Refrigerate at least 30 minutes to let "sauce" absorb into coleslaw.

oh heeeey, awesomely healthy wontons and sweet scrumptious coleslaw...don't mind if I do...

Weigh-ing In (see what I did there?): My Favorite Low-Cal Snacks

As some of you may know, I'm getting married in 6 months.  Technically I'm getting married 168 days from this blog post.  My wedding dress is BEYOND gorg (I'm allowed to say this about my own dress...bride rules) and I'm determined to fit in it without the help of my Spanx.  


That's where my new friends come in.  The following Top 10 is a list of my most recent, healthier obsessions that actually taste good and aren't diet-y.  Here are a few of my favorite low-cal finds (and some go-to favorites from all those other times I tried to lose weight):


1.  Joseph's Flax, Oat Bran, and Whole Wheat Pitas:  I don't know how these babies are low-fat, low-cal, AND delicious, but they are.  I eat these with fig butter/cream cheese for breakfast, in place of a tortilla when making quesadillas/fajitas, and as the ultimate companion to hummus, salsa, and tabbouleh.  Talk about diverse.  It's like the best blank canvas since sliced bread.  AND THEY'RE 60 CALORIES.  60!!! Obsessed.


2. Snyder's of Hanover EatSmart Whole Grain Cheese Curls:  Who doesn't love a cheese curl!?!? These are super tasty, a little bit nutty, white-cheddary, and LOW FAT.  You can fill a whole red Solo cup (and i KNOW you have a few of those laying around) full of these curly creations for only 130 calories.   Which is like, two of those orange cheese puffs your mom used to pack in your lunchbox  in elementary school.  INDULGE, my friends!


3. Peanut Butter & Co. Dark Chocolate Dreams:  Upon casually browsing my local Ocean State Job Lot (yeah I said it), this Magical Peanut-Buttery-Chocolatey-Fantastic-ness hit me in the face.  AND I LIKED IT.  I can't find this at my regular grocery store, but God help me the next time I come across it at OSJL (we're on an abbrev. basis) OR Christmas Tree Shops, where I've also spotted this and other flavors.  170 Calories in 2 tablespoons is like the best 170 calories of my entire day.  Eat it with an apple, some RF Wheat Thins, or right out of the jar.  Thank me later.


4.  Boca Spicy Chik'n Patties:  These are my go -to lunch favorite because they take 1:20 in the microwave, taste like a buffalo chicken tender, and are just all around the best little non-meat situation in the freezer aisle.  Top with a little low-fat ranch and stick it between a multi-grain English muffin.  At only 160 calories, you can still afford a slice of cheese if you want (and you do).  YUM.


5. Green Apples.  So much better than the red kind.  Sweet AND tart. Yes please.


6. Celery.  Remember the PB I talked about?  BFFs.


7. 1 % low-fat cottage cheese.  Do you how much 1/2 c. of cottage cheese really is?? Mix in some cucumbers or tomatoes and you've got yourself a protein-packed lunch for like, 80 cals.


8. Cheerios.  One cup of Cheerios is a LOT of Cheerios and only 100 cals.  Splenda, strawberries, 1 % milk?  Breakfast is served.


9. Egg whites. You know how much I love these bad boys.  3 egg whites + a teaspoon of pesto + a tablespoon of goat cheese crumbles is the ultimate meal and it's under 150 calories.


10.  Soda brownies/cupcakes.  Take one can of diet soda and mix with one package of dry brownie or cake mix.  Some of my favorite combos:  diet ginger ale and Funfetti; diet Pepsi and brownies, diet orange soda and white cake mix.  Without having to use butter,eggs, and oil, you've got yourself a low-fat delight when your sweet tooth attacks.


Tell me if you've tried any of these, or what low-cal goodies YOU snack on, by leaving a comment below!

Recipes: Holy Guacamole & Savory Monkey Bread

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  This is going to be such a great year for me.  I'm getting married 6 months to my best friend, and I feel like I'm going to land a GREAT job this year (fingers crossed!!).  I wish you all a happy & healthy 2012!


We rang in the new year with some of our closest friends and I brought some homemade guacamole (upon request from the hostess) and this delicious monkey bread courtesy of Fun & Fearless in Beantown, one of my favorite local bloggers.  I played around with it a bit (hers was vegetarian but the original recipe calls for pepperoni so I added both basil AND pepperoni ...such a rebel) and it was a big hit and SUPER easy.  Take a look at the guac recipe and the monkey bread below!


HOLY GUACAMOLE (NOTE: Measurements are eyeballed!)
3 avocados
1/2 red onion, minced
1-2 Tbsp. minced garlic
1-2 tsp. light Ranch dressing (or substitute light sour cream)
splash of Red Hot
juice of 1/2 lime and 1/2 lemon
salt & pepper

Slice avocados into small chunks and drop into bowl with other ingredients.  Gently bled together, leaving chunks of avocado (or stir longer for a more pureed texture).  Serve with tortilla chips!

PIZZA MONKEY BREAD 

2 lbs pre-made pizza dough

6 mozzarella sticks sliced into 8 pieces each (don't use reduced fat...they won't melt as well)

turkey or regular pepperoni slices

chopped basil

4 Tbsp. butter

2 cloves garlic, sliced

Let pizza dough rest at room temperature wile you prepare the other ingredients. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Melt butter and garlic in a pot over medium heat until melted.  Baste a bundt pan with the butter and set the rest aside for now.  Take a small amount of dough (I used about the size of a pepperoni) and place the pepperoni, chopped basil, and mozzarella in the center.  round the dough to cover the fillings.  

Once you fill the bundt pan with dough balls one time around, baste the top of the balls with more butter.  Repeat another row with remaining dough/filling and baste top with butter. 

Bake for 35 minutes until golden brown.  Wait about 10-15 minutes before flipping onto a platter.

Must Haves and Go-To's: The Essentials

As you saw in my Pantry Raid post, I am usually well-stocked in the food department.  The same goes with my freezer and fridge, too.  There are some things I always have on hand, and if you combine 2, 3, or 4, of these ingredients together, you can usually make a meal.  It's all about testing out different flavors and mix and matching.  Have fun with it!  Here's some of my favorite standbys.


FRIDGE:

• Eggs.  I LOOOOOVE eggs.  They're great for breakfast, for stir fried rice, for baking, and for use in the breaded [whatever] conveyor belt.  Other options: egg salad, hard boiled eggs, "French" burgers (inspired by The Met Bar & Grill), breakfast for dinner.  A great protein substitute if you're bored with beef or chicken.
• Cheese.  I always have at least 3 kinds of cheese on hand: One sliced variety fresh from the deli, any variety of shredded cheese (usually Mozz or Mexican blend), and American slices (they're the best melting cheese).
• Salsa.  Use it in omelets, on baked potatoes, or for unexpected guests (everyone loves chips & salsa!)
• Milk.  I hate drinking milk but I use it for cooking occasionally, and for the ever-necessary late-night bowl of cereal.
• Sour Cream.  It's just great on everything.  Baked potatoes, pierogies, and Taco Tuesdays....bam. 
• Butter.  Duh.
• Condiments. My fridge is basically 70% condiments.  I ALWAYS have the following on hand:  ketchup, Dijon mustard, Italian dressing, Siriacha, Red Hot, mayo, marinara sauce (yes I consider this a condiment), Worcestershire sauce, and relish.

FREEZER:

• Ground Turkey.  Since I don't eat a lot of red meat, I use turkey in everything.  I always have at least 2 packages ready to go.  Uses (just a few):  tacos, burgers, stuffed peppers, meatballs/sauce.  We also have a ton of turkey bacon, too.
• Chicken Breast.  So versatile.  We stock up on the big pack when it goes on sale!
• Edamame.  I stock up on the shelled edamame whenever I go to Trader Joe's.  It's so versatile and takes 3 minutes to defrost.  Great for Asian-inspired dinners and cold in a salad.
• Chopped Onions. The frozen bag of chopped onions is such a time-saver and super cheap.  
• Frozen Veggies.  I love using these for omelets, pasta dishes, and fried rice.  We usually have the "fiesta" blend on hand, and a mix of the peas/corn or broccoli/cauliflower.  The possibilities are really endless with these.
• Pierogies.  I love Mrs T's pierogies because they come in a variety of flavors and they're a great meal alone or as a side with my next go to...
• Kielbasa.  We eat a TON of this stuff (probably not the healthiest...but most of the time it's the turkey or chicken variety).  Use in stir-frys, as the Polish do (see above go-to), or grill for a super-quick meal.  Great for BBQs.
• Hot Dogs.  Sometimes you just don't feel like cooking.

PANTRY

• Pasta.  Whether it's orzo, cavatappi, spaghetti, or farfalle, I always have at least 2 boxes of pasta. It's like a blank canvass.  Go cray.
• Canned Veggies.  Corn and artichoke hearts are my favorite.  Add to everything.
• Beans.  Garbanzo (chickpeas), black, and  kidney are the most common in my pantry.
• Baking essentials.  Flour, baking soda, and baking powder, vanilla extract.  More recently, chocolate chips.  You never know when the mood will hit ya!
• Breadcrumbs.  I use these to make home made burgers, and anything, well, breaded.  Just a great item for your arsenal.  You should keep regular and Panko on hand.
• Marinades.  Always have an Asian, BBQ, and lemony one on hand.  So easy. 
• EVOO.  Probably the most essential item in my whole kitchen.  Self explanatory.

What do YOU always have around the kitchen?  SHARE your pantry must-haves below!

Recipe: Butterrnut Squash & Black Bean Chili

Last weekend I hosted a gift swap for my girlfriends and made this delicious, hearty chili to enjoy while we swapped gifts. (We also enjoyed artichoke dip, buffalo chicken dip, PB chocolate chip cookies, fruit salsa, a hummus dip, a rotisserie chicken, stir-fried rice, macaroni and cheese, cheese/crackers, aaaand an ice cream trifle.  It's fine. I'll diet in 2012.)  One of my friends is a "mostly vegetarian", as I like to call her (hi Al!), and another friend doesn't eat cheese.  I just call her weird (hi Doodle!).  Finding an entree to satisfy both--as well as the rest of my party-- was a challenge!  But I like challenges, and this recipe is super easy and full of flavor.  I found this online and can't remember where, but I just have to give the inventor prrops for this one.  Perfect for winter.  Enjoy :)


2 lbs peeled & chopped butternut squash (BJ's has a 2-lb containter all ready to go, if you're looking to save time!)
2-3 onions, diced
2-3 cloves garlic, diced
2 jalapeno peppers, diced (remove ribs & seeds for milder flavor)
4 15 oz cans black beans, drained and rinsed
2 bell peppers (I used one red and one orange for a sweeter flavor)
2 14.5 oz cans fire-roasted tomatoes (The "fire-roasted" is key! use Hunt's brand)
3 Tbsp. chili powder
2 Tbsp. cumin
1 Tbsp. dried oregano
1/4 c. EVOO


Cook onions & garlic in EVOO in a skillet until transparent.  Add bell peppers and continue cooking until tender.  Meanwhile, add all other ingredients (besides squash) to a slow cooker.  Add onions and peppers when ready.  Stir to combine.  Finally, add butternut squash on top of other ingredients.  Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours.


*This chili is a bit spicy so if you want to omit the jalapenos or use less chili powder, feel free.  I added a dollop of sour cream to my bowl before eating, which helped to balance out the spiciness.  

Special thanks to my loves Jamie, Allison, Jenn, Lou, OJ, Jam, Bin, and Court for coming by and bringing all of the other deliciousness we devoured.  Love you all!