Holiday foods bring us into the kitchen, and that's a good thing. Putting together a healthy menu, though, can be tough. Think about your holiday party appetizer table, for example. Are there rich cheeses, sour cream dip, and mini-quiches.? Or, are there steamed shrimp, nuts, and colorful raw veggies? The second option is definitely the direction to go for an enjoyable and nutritious nibble. So, this holiday season, challenge yourself to offer lighter and healthier foods in delicious harmony with great flavor. Here's a tasty starting point: Lighter & Healthier Appetizers - Try these: … [Read more...] about Try These Holiday Foods for a Lighter & Healthier Twist
Mediterranean Turkey & Herb Meatloaf Recipe
Everyone loves comfort food and meatloaf is a perfect choice. By switching out the ground beef and switching in 93% lean ground turkey, along with flavorful fresh and dried herbs, this is a tasty Mediterranean version of your favorite dinner dish! Mediterranean Turkey & Herb Meatloaf Kids can help by cracking the eggs, measuring the dried herbs, and stirring everything together, with supervision. Makes 6-8 servings 1-1/2 pounds Lean ground turkey, 93% lean ½ large Bell pepper, any color, chopped 1 medium Red onion, chopped 2 large … [Read more...] about Mediterranean Turkey & Herb Meatloaf Recipe
Cooking in a New Kitchen
It takes determination and desire to break-in a new kitchen and the results are definitely worth it. My Cooking Mistakes While living in northwest Spain this fall, I'm finding out that cooking in a new kitchen is not so easy. I've already made a ton of mistakes like these: Letting the rice boil over and make a mess Burning part of the eggplant I was trying to sauté Measuring the salt incorrectly, without a proper measuring spoon Running out of eggs when I wanted to make a Spanish Tortilla Omelet Missing the spices I needed to make a chickpea burger … [Read more...] about Cooking in a New Kitchen
Sweet Red Peppers and 3 Ways to Enjoy Them
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the sweet red peppers of Spain! Then I started seeing these beauties in every vegetable market and grocery store I visited around Salamanca, where I'm living this fall. Sweet red peppers are called 'Pimientos' in Spanish and I'm learning that they are a very important ingredient in every Spanish kitchen, restaurant, and tapas bar. How to Use Sweet Red Peppers - 3 Ways The natural sweetness of Spanish pimientos - sweet red peppers - brings bright flavors to all kinds of things. Here are a few examples: Wash, cut into strips and dip into … [Read more...] about Sweet Red Peppers and 3 Ways to Enjoy Them
A Tasty Little Marinade for Chicken, Steak, Seafood and Veggies
Since so many of us enjoy a dinner from the grill, here's an easy and tasty marinade recipe to love. I see two big advantages to having a go-to marinade recipe. The first is that marinating chicken or steak or fish or shrimp forces us to have a plan for dinner hours ahead of time - when marinating ideally begins. The second is that having a trusted recipe on hand erases the worry of how the final flavor will turn out -- it's always a big success. Here is a marinade that fits just about everything that's a protein food. For veggies, it works as a delicious brush-on-when-grilling … [Read more...] about A Tasty Little Marinade for Chicken, Steak, Seafood and Veggies
Seafood Cooks Quickly and Tastes Great
As a nutrition professional, I've encouraged a lot of people to eat fish and shellfish and I hope that I've succeeded. Seafood is a top choice for a burst of delicious protein at breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Here is a list of how some fish compare to other high protein foods like meat, poultry, dairy foods, and beans/legumes. Think about dinner with seafood, for example, and brainstorm all your options. Chances are that you'll discover it's easier and quicker to cook seafood than chicken, beef, pork, or a bowl of spaghetti. Wouldn't that be great? How to Cook Fresh Fish and … [Read more...] about Seafood Cooks Quickly and Tastes Great