Thursday, February 23, 2012

Chicken Tortilla Soup

This winter I decided to throw together a nice hearty soup after I woke up and saw this!
So beautiful! 

I really just threw some things together and it came together beautifully.

2 cups of it only 299 calories and so filling!!!


Sauted some onion, garlic, and green pepper

Roasted some chicken breast tenders with taco seasoning on them

Added shredded chicken and rest of taco seasoning

Mixed well 

Added one can of black beans and one can of kidney beans drained

This stuff is amazing, added 6 cups of water and 6 tsp of this along with 3TBS of tomato paste

Blended and YUM!    (not best picture but tasted amazing)

M and K added some avacado slices, cheese, and sour cream.  I opted to keep the calories down (which is dumb because I was so far off calories yesterday but whatever)



Here is the link to the full recipe in better detail!
http://www.livestrong.com/recipes/chicken-tortilla-soup-michelle/

Kale Chips

Ever want something salty and crunchy but without all the guilt?

KALE CHIPS are AMAZING and oh so simple!

All you need is Kale, Olive Oil, and Kosher Salt

Cut Kale off stems, toss in Olive Oil and Salt and cook at 350 for about 15 minutes until crispy and brown (not burnt)

Before Cooking

After


These will melt in your mouth and satisfy any salt, crunchy craving you may have!

Sweet Pepper Salsa

This was a fabulous recipe that I put on top of Tilapia and served with roasted broccoli, cauliflower, and zucchini.  FABULOUS! 



Spread sweet peppers evenly on silpat or cookie sheet.  Drizzle with olive oil and kosher salt and roast on 400 for about 25 minutes until soft and carmely.  (below) 



When cool, remove skin, stems, and seeds and chop.

Add the following:

2 TBS Cilantro
3 TBS Olive Oil
1/2 TBS Balsamic Vinegar
1/4 Cup Green Olives
2 TBS Capers

Mix and refrigerate until fish cooked (baked mine on silpat)  top and ENJOY!



Cilantro Chicken

Easy peasy recipe and SO tasty




Take package of chicken thighs and clean/remove the skin

Place in 13X9 pan and cover with 2 onions and 1 cup of chopped cilantro.

Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes.

Bake at 375 for 1 hour 14 minutes and ENJOY!!!

Friday, February 3, 2012

Paleo Cake Balls



They turned out FABULOUS! (I cant find where I originally found this idea, so sorry for lack of credit)

1/2 Cup pecans
6 pitted dates
1 Tablespoon cocoa powder
2 Tablespoons coconut butter (NOT OIL)
2 Tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut

Put it all in the food processor, shaped in balls, rolled in MORE coconut .. (can you ever have to0 much coconut!) and VOILA!

Spicy Tuna Salad


Spicy Tuna Salad



I wasnt so sure about the capers but it turned out DELIC!

Ingredients

* 2 cans tuna (oil packed works really well here)
* 20 green olives, chopped
* 2 green onions, chopped
* 3 T. capers, chopped
* 1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped
* A couple splashes of olive oil
* 2 T. red chili flakes
* 3 lemons, juiced

Instructions

* Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl.
* Mix.
* Serve.

I put on Red Leaf Lettuce and a little tomato mmmmmmm Did not miss the mayo for sure!

Cilantro Lime Pork Tacos


Cilantro Lime Pork Tacos



2 lbs Pork Tenderloin
2 cups Chicken Broth
4 small Limes or 2 large (juiced)
1 tsp Cumin
1 Tbs Chilli power
1/2 Tbs Garlic Red Pepper
1/2 tsp ceyenne pepper
1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Dump in crock and cook on low for 8 hours.

Shred and enjoy wrapped in lettuce leaves.

Moroccan Chicken


Moroccan Chicken



Ingredients:

1 head cauliflower
2-3 pounds of chicken
2 tablespoons butter
1 onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons ginger root, finely chopped or grated
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
3 carrots, peeled and sliced
2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon coriander
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 tsp cayenne (optional – the other spices will already add a bit of spiciness to the dish, so only add the cayenne if you want a really spicy dish)
1 red pepper, cut into thin strips
28-ounce can of diced tomatoes (do not drain)
1/2 cup minced parsley or cilantro
2 tsp salt
1 lemon

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375.

The base of the casserole is cauliflower grated into a rice-like texture. Chop the head of cauliflower into small pieces. Push the pieces through a food processor using the grating blade. Spread the grated cauliflower out in a 9×13 rectangular baking pan.

Salt and pepper the chicken. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a deep pan over high heat. Add the chicken, browning well, about 3-5 minutes a side.

Remove the chicken from the hot pan and set aside. Turn heat down to medium and add onion, ginger, garlic and carrots. Cook until the onions are soft. Add remaining tablespoon of butter and all spices. Stir well.

Add red pepper, the can of tomatoes, minced parsley or cilantro and salt. Return the chicken to the pot and simmer for 3-5 minutes.

Pour the chicken mixture over the cauliflower and mix really well, so the cauliflower is completely covered by the sauce. Slice a lemon into thin slices and lay on top of the casserole. Cover the pan with tin foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove the tinfoil and cook for 25 minutes more.

Garnish with more fresh parsley or cilantro before serving.