Tag: grocery

Loaded Spaghetti Squash

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This week I challenged myself to create three recipes using only 1 pound of meat. This was one of my creations and it is by far my favorite out of the three. This recipe can be created on it’s own or from leftover taco meat. Each serving is 330 calories (23g carbs, 21g protein). I use more cheese than I probably should in this dish, so if you want to cut down the amount of cheese, that can be customized! 

Not everyone is comfortable working with spaghetti squash, but it is one of my favorite squashes to work with! You may be wondering how I cut my spaghetti squash, I’ve shared my tips in the directions below. By following my suggestions, you will be able to cut your spaghetti squash with ease! 

Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

Ingredients

1 spaghetti squash (approx. 2.5-2.75 pounds)
1 cup Mexican style shredded cheese
1/2 pound ground turkey
1/2 gluten free taco seasoning packet
3/4 cup black beans
3/4 cup whole kernel sweet corn
1/2 cup cooked white rice
1/4 cup red onion chopped
1/4 tomato diced
1/2 cup water
1 jalapeño or 1/4 bell pepper chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
1-2 pinches of salt
1-2 pinches of black pepper
Optional: chopped cilantro for garnish

Directions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. 
  2. With a sharp knife or a fork, make slits or poke holes in the spaghetti squash. You just need a couple on each side. This will prevent the spaghetti squash from essentially exploding in the next step. 
  3. Microwave your spaghetti squash for 4-5 minutes. 
  4. Using a towel or oven mits, carefully remove the spaghetti squash from the microwave and place on a cutting board. Carefully cut the spaghetti squash in half. I opted to cut “hamburger style,” because it creates longer stringy pieces once cooked. Cutting it long ways will create short strings. 
  5. Using a brush, coat the inside of the spaghetti squash and the rim with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. 
  6. Place the spaghetti squash on a sheet pan upside down and cook for approx. 40 minutes. 
  7. Prepare your white rice and measure out 1/2 cup. Set to side. 
  8. Brown your ground turkey over medium heat. Once browned, add the taco seasoning and 1/4 cup of water. Let cook for 5 minutes. 
  9. Remove the turkey meat from heat until the spaghetti squash is done. 
  10. Measure out your black beans, corn, red onion, tomato and jalapeño or bell pepper and place in a bowl. Set to side. 
  11. Measure out shredded cheese and set to side separately from mixture of veggies. 
  12. Carefully remove the spaghetti squash from the oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes. Use a spatula to help flip the cooked squash onto a heat safe plate or cutting board. Using a heat barrier, like a towel, use a fork to begin scooping out the “spaghetti” strands of the squash. Place in separate bowl and put to the side. 
  13. Place the pan with the taco meat back on the burner with medium heat. Add the bowl containing the mixture of beans and veggies and 1/4 cup of water. DO NOT add cheese or spaghetti squash yet. 
  14. Once your veggies are heated through (you will hear sizzling), Add the spaghetti squash to the mixture. I recommend using tongs for this step since it doesn’t mix well. Add the shredded cheese. 
  15. The spaghetti squash and cheese should only be over heat for 3 minutes. Mix all ingredients together so that the cheese and seasonings are evenly spread throughout the dish. 
  16. Remove from heat and serve with chopped cilantro garnish. 

This recipe makes 4 servings. 

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Burrito Bowls

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This week I challenged myself to make three taco inspired recipes using only 1 pound of meat. This was one of those recipes! The filling for my zucchini boats calls for all of the same ingredients that are in the topping for my burrito bowl. This makes it easy to double the recipe and make both dishes at the same time! The burrito bowls are 181 calories a serving (28g carbs, 12g protein). I did not add any extra sauces or cheese to this dish, but it could easily be added.

Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

Ingredients

1 1/2 heads of romaine lettuce, chopped
1/4 pound ground turkey
1/4 gluten free taco seasoning packet
3/4 cup black beans
3/4 cup whole kernel sweet corn
1/2 cup cooked white rice
1/2 cup Mexican style shredded cheese
1/4 cup red onion chopped
1/4 tomato diced
1/4 cup water
1 jalapeño or 1/4 bell pepper chopped

Directions

1. Prepare the taco meat by browning the ground turkey over medium heat.
2. Add seasoning packet and approx. 1/4 cup of water to browned turkey. Simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Remove the taco meat from heat and place in a large bowl.
4. Add the black beans, corn, cooked rice, tomato and chopped jalapeño or bell pepper to the bowl.
5. Mix all ingredients until the taco seasoning from the meat is coated on all ingredients.
6. Place the chopped romaine lettuce into 4 separate containers. 
7. Divide the taco mixture between the 4 containers of lettuce or store separately, if not immediately serving.  
Please note: I recommend storing the taco mixture separately, because then you can warm up it up without ruining the lettuce. If you would like to consume the ingredients cold, you can assemble the bowls and store. If you like additional toppings, salsa, sour cream, cheese or guacamole can be added to this dish. 

This recipe serves 4. 

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Mexican Zucchini Boats

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During my meal prep this week, I challenged myself to make 3 different recipes from one pound of ground turkey. Right now, times are tough and I am looking for ways to make food stretch for those on tight budgets! I instantly thought taco meat could be an excellent choice. This recipe is great, because you can make this by itself or with the other two recipes (Burrito Bowl or Loaded Mexican Spaghetti Squash). This recipe is 226 calories a serving (24g carbs and 13g protein).

Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

Ingredients

1/4 pound ground turkey
1/4 gluten free taco seasoning packet
2 zucchini
3/4 cup black beans
3/4 cup whole kernel sweet corn
1/2 cup cooked white rice
1/2 cup Mexican style shredded cheese
1/4 cup red onion chopped
1/4 tomato diced
1/4 cup water
1 jalapeño or 1/4 bell pepper chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
pinch salt
pinch black pepper

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Prepare the taco meat by browning the ground turkey over medium heat.
3. Add seasoning packet and approx. 1/4 cup of water to browned turkey. Simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Remove the taco meat from heat and place in a large bowl. Set to side.
5. Prepare your zucchini by cutting off the ends and cutting the zucchini down the middle, long ways. You should have four long pieces of zucchini.
6. Scoop out the inside of the zucchini with a spoon. This will create a “boat” like appearance. Using a brush, spread olive oil on the inside of each zucchini. Season each piece with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Grab the bowl of taco meat and add the black beans, corn, cooked rice, tomato and chopped jalapeño or bell pepper to create the filling for your boats.
8. Mix all ingredients until the taco seasoning from the meat is coated on all ingredients.
9. Using a spoon, scoop the filling into each zucchini boat. This process may be a little messy. Push down the ingredients to maximize the amount of filling in each zucchini.
10. Place in oven and cook for 20-25 minutes, covered in foil.
11. Add shredded cheese to the top of each boat the last 5 minutes of cooking. Cook uncovered.

This recipe serves 4.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Fiesta Stuffed Peppers

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This fun take on stuffed peppers was created from hispanic influences. I LOVE tacos, but I always have leftover taco meat when I cook them. This recipe allowed me to utilize a leftover, while making a hardy meal that is quick, easy and takes very little effort! These stuffed peppers can also be prepared even if you don’t have leftover taco meat! That being said, unless you’re making 12 peppers, you won’t use a whole pound of meat. However, I have some awesome ideas for some additional taco inspired recipes that will be coming out in the next few days! Stay tuned…

Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

Ingredients

6 bell peppers
1/2-1 lb. ground turkey or beef
1 gluten-free taco seasoning packet (low sodium when possible)
1 cup of cooked white rice
1/2 can of whole kernel sweet corn
1/2 can of black beans
1 cup of Mexican style shredded cheese
1/4 cup of salsa or 1 diced tomato

Directions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Rinse and cut the tops off of your 6 bell peppers. Remove seeds, so the inside of the peppers are hollow. Set to the side in a baking dish.
  3. Prep and begin cooking your white rice.
  4. While the rice is cooking, brown 1 lb. of meat, then follow directions provided on the back of the taco seasoning packet. You can also use leftover taco meat in place of this step.
  5. Once rice has finished cooking, measure 1 cup of cooked rice and place it in a large mixing bowl.
  6. Place 1/2 lb. of seasoned meat into the mixing bowl with the rice.
  7. Add 1/2 can of corn, 1/2 can of black beans, 1/2 cup of shredded cheese and either 1/4 cup of salsa or 1 diced tomato to the mixing bowl.
  8. Stir until all ingredients are well mixed.
  9. Grab your baking dish with the hallow peppers and begin adding filling into each pepper. Push down ingredients lightly to maximize the amount of filling that is being placed in each pepper.
  10. Place the dish in the oven for 30 minutes covered with foil.
  11. After 30 minutes, remove the foil and add the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese to the tops of each pepper. Bake for another 5 minutes, uncovered.
  12. Remove and serve.

This recipe makes 6 servings.

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Berry Coconut Smoothie Bowl

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As a woman that suffers from Endometriosis, inflammation is something that I struggle with on a regular basis. This week I had my first flare up in months. That being said, because of my diet changes, I noticed that my pain levels were much more manageable than they’ve been in the past. This smoothie is my go to when I need antioxidants!

Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

Ingredients

1-1.5 cup coconut milk
1 cup of spinach
1 cup of blueberries, blackberries and raspberries frozen
1/2 frozen banana
1/4 sliced banana fresh
1/4 cup fresh blueberries, blackberries and raspberries
1 tbsp coconut flakes
1 tbsp chia seeds
1 tsp coconut flakes
Optional: 1/4 cup ice

Directions

1. Add the coconut milk, spinach, frozen berries, 1 tbsp of coconut flakes and 1 tbsp of chia seeds (optional: 1/4 cup ice) to a blender.
2. Blend till smooth. If the consistency is too thick add small amounts of coconut milk until desired texture is achieved.
3. Pour smoothie mix in bowl.
4. Top with sliced fresh banana, berries and 1 tsp of coconut flakes

This recipe serves 1.

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Healthy Greek Marinade

This Mediterranean inspired marinade is quick and easy to make. With Greek yogurt as the main ingredient, it won’t break any diet!

Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

Ingredients

1 cup of Greek yogurt
4-5 sprigs of dill chopped
1/2 lemon (squeezed for juice)
1-2 pinches salt
1 pinch black pepper

Directions

  1. Place the Greek yogurt, dill, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a ziplock bag or a shallow Tupperware with your favorite protein. 
  2. Place in the fridge for 30-60 minutes. 
  3. Your protein is ready to be cooked! 

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