Creamed Corn Mint Couscous

This dish is great paired with Cindy’s Sautéed Mint Salmon

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Ingredients:

• 1 box of couscous
• 2 cups of low sodium chicken broth/ or water
• 1 cup of cream of corn
• 1 tsp of sea salt
• 1 tsp of fresh ground pepper
• Optional 1/3 cup of grated Parmesan cheese (Pat doesn't like cheese)

Directions:

1. In a medium pan boil the 2 cups of chicken broth/ or water
2. Pour in the couscous and remove from heat and cover
3. Let sit for 5 min and then use a fork to mix
4. Stir in the cream of corn, salt, and pepper
5. Optional to add 1/3 cup of Parmesan cheese
6. Enjoy!

Baked Chicken

I got a pack of chicken breasts on sale at the local grocery store- I think it had about 8 large boneless breasts. 

I think we got 3 meals out of them.  

Ingredients: 

2 tablespoons of olive oil

1 clove minced garlic

1 cup of wheat bread crumbs

2/3 cup grated Parmesan  

1 teaspoon dried basil leaves

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. Lightly grease a 9 x 13 baking dish

3. In a bowl, blend the olive oil and garlic. In a separate bowl, mix the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, basil, and pepper. Dip each chicken breast in the oil mixture, then in the bread crumb mixture. Arrange the coated chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish, and top with any remaining bread crumb mixture.  

4. Bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear.  

Sunday Lunch- Jerk Turkey Sloppy Joe's & Cauliflower Au Gratin :)

Sunday Lunch- Jerk Turkey Sloppy Joe's & Cauliflower Au Gratin :)

Cauliflower Au Gratin

Ingredients

1 (3-pound) head cauliflower, cut into large florets

Kosher salt

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) smart balance butter spread, divided

3 tablespoons almond flour

2 cups hot skim milk

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg

3/4 cup freshly grated Gruyere, divided

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan

1/4 cup ground up rolled oats (or Bread Crumbs)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Cook the cauliflower florets in a large pot of boiling salted water for 5 to 6 minutes, until tender but still firm. Drain.

Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Add the flour, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon for 2 minutes. Pour the hot milk into the butter-flour mixture and stir until it comes to a boil. Boil, whisking constantly, for 1 minute, or until thickened. Off the heat, add 1 teaspoon of salt, the pepper, nutmeg, 1/2 cup of the Gruyere, and the Parmesan.

Pour 1/3 of the sauce on the bottom of an 8 by 11 by 2-inch baking dish. Place the drained cauliflower on top and then spread the rest of the sauce evenly on top. Combine the ground up rolled oats with the remaining 1/4 cup of Gruyere and sprinkle on top. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and drizzle over the gratin. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for 30 minutes, until the top is browned.

Jerk Turkey Sloppy Joe's

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1.5 pounds lean ground turkey or turkey breast

1 onion, chopped

1 Palermo pepper, seeded and finely chopped

1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped

3 to 4 cloves garlic, chopped

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon paprika or smoked sweet paprika

1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated or minced

1 teaspoon allspice

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Freshly grated nutmeg

2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme leaves

Small handful cilantro leaves, finely chopped or 1/2 a palmful ground coriander

Sauce:

2 tablespoons cider vinegar

2 tablespoons dark brown sugar

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 lime, juiced

1 cup tomato sauce

4 rolls heated over grill pan

Chopped scallions, for garnish

Chopped cilantro leaves, for garnish

Directions

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil ripples and is hot, add the meat and brown. Add the onions, chile, bell pepper, garlic and salt and pepper, to taste. Stir in the paprika, ginger, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, thyme and cilantro. Stir occasionally for 8 to 10 minutes.

In a small bowl combine the vinegar, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, lime juice, and tomato sauce. Stir the sauce into the turkey mixture. Simmer for a few minutes, then serve on rolls with a garnish of scallions, chopped pickles, and chopped cilantro.

Vegetable Meatloaf

This recipe is quick and easy and the whole family will love it!

It will look burnt on top but that is the mixture of Balsamic Vinegar

 & Ketchup when cooked.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 small zucchini, finely diced
• 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, finely diced
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh thyme
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 1/2 pounds ground turkey (90 percent lean)
• 1 cup quick oats oatmeal
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Romano or Parmesan cheese
• 3/4 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Heat the oil in a large saute pan over high heat. Add the zucchini, bell peppers, garlic paste and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper and cook until the vegetables are almost soft, about 5 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Whisk the egg and fresh herbs in a large bowl. Add the turkey, quick oats oatmeal, grated cheese, 1/2 cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar and the cooled vegetables; mix until just combined.

Gently press the mixture into a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan. Whisk the remaining 1/4 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes in a small bowl; brush the mixture over the entire loaf. 

Bake for 1 to 1 1/4 hours. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

Cindy's Version of Grilled Lamb Loin Chop with Roasted Mustard/Sage Sweet Potatoes, Mexican Mint Marigold Pesto and Warm Goat Cheese Sauce

Cindy's Version of Grilled Lamb Loin Chop with Roasted Mustard/Sage Sweet Potatoes, Mexican Mint Marigold Pesto and Warm Goat Cheese Sauce

This recipe was very elegant and not difficult at all to make! Found the recipe on Food Network, then I modified it to make it more healthy and less fattening!

Ingredients 

Sweet Potatoes:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons honey (called for maple syrup)
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh sage leaves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 2 small sweet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1/4-inch thick disks
• Cooking spray

Pesto:

• 1/4 cup Mexican mint marigold (or tarragon), packed
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan
• 2 tablespoons chopped pecans
• 1/4 cup chicken stock or water ( I used low sodium)
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Goat Cheese Sauce:
• 6 tablespoons chevre (goat cheese)
• 4 tablespoons almond milk (called for half & half)
• 1 tsp of cornstarch
• Lamb:
• 4 (5 to 6-ounce) lamb loin chops
• Salt
• Pepper

Directions

Sweet Potatoes: 

Preheat the oven to 365 degrees F.

Combine the first 6 ingredients. Toss with the sweet potatoes. Place the sweet potatoes in a single layer on a sprayed baking sheet. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes until beginning to brown.

Pesto:

Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender and puree.

Goat Cheese Sauce:

Combine the goat cheese and almond milk in a small saucepan and heat over low heat until goat cheese is melted and sauce is warm.

Lamb:

Preheat a grill or grill pan over high heat.

Season the lamb with the salt and pepper. Grill to desired doneness, about 3 minutes per side for medium rare.

To serve, divide the sweet potatoes onto 4 plates, loosely stacking them towards the center. Position a lamb chop on each stack. Drizzle pesto around the potatoes. Spoon goat cheese sauce over lamb.

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Roasted Parmesan Cauliflower

Roasted Parmesan Cauliflower

• 1 small to medium head cauliflower, cut into florets, about 6 cups cauliflower florets
• 2 teaspoons crushed garlic
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese

Preparation:

Line a large baking pan with foil; spray lightly with cooking spray. Heat oven to 425°.

In a large bowl or food storage bag toss the cauliflower florets with the olive oil, garlic, seasonings, and Parmesan cheese.

Spread the cauliflower out on the prepared baking pan.

Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, turning every 10 minutes, or until tender and lightly browned.

Serves 4