I want to say up front that the thought of a “fish cake” is really unappealing to me. But don’t let the name of this recipe prevent you from trying it. We bought some fresh cod at Whole Foods and wanted to make something different than your typical pan-seared fish with lemon and capers. While…
Tag: Healthy
Basil and Pistachio Nut Pesto Grilled Chicken
With the arrival of warm weather, the grills start firing up. Walking around my condo complex I can smell the different meats and marinades-it makes my mouth water! The grill is great for healthy eating and it gives flavor to your proteins and veggies that cannot be substituted on the stove. While Kyle was out…
Caramelized Onion Turkey Burger
For a long time the idea of a turkey burger, for lack of a better phrase, grossed me out. I can’t explain it, but it just didn’t sound appetizing. Maybe because for years my father has repeatedly told us the ONLY bad meal my mother ever made in 30 years of marriage was turkey meatloaf….
Spinach Stuffed Filet of Sole
This is a very straightforward dish inspired by Italian flavors and made for the fish lover. It’s very easy to make and you can adapt the stuffing ingredients to whatever your heart desires! It’s also very healthy and satisfying. INGREDIENTS 4 pieces filet of sole Fresh spinach 1 shallot 3 cloves garlic 1-2 tbsp of whole…
Spicy Italian Baked Zucchini Chips
I often am looking for a salty and crunchy snack in the afternoon or after dinner late night. Sweets don’t do it for me: I need the salt. Given that zucchini is a vegetable and you are baking them (rather than frying) this recipe is a smart alternative to the typical fried potato chip or…
Mexican Black Bean Quinoa Burger
I love burgers especially those huge juicy, cheesy ones topped with tons of fun things! However, I am always willing to try new things–especially if means a healthy alternative. In anticipation of our vacation next week, I decided to stick with low carb and low-calorie meals. For that reason I opted to rest the burger…
Shrimp Fried Quinoa
Fried rice is one of my favorite take out items. I can’t imagine it’s that great for you so why not put a healthy quick on it and make it at home. I made this “fried rice” with quinoa and lots of veggies. Feel free to use any vegetables you like or have on hand….
Black Bean Soup
Black bean soup has been on my food bucket list for a while now. (Yes, I have a food bucket list– which includes foods that I have never attempted to make. i.e. crab cakes, sushi, homemade ravioli, etc). Black beans are good for you and I happen to love them. And loving black beans is…
Spaghetti Squash with Broccoli and Cheese
I fell in love with spaghetti squash a few winters ago and made it almost weekly coming up with different recipes. There are so many ways you can use it–essentially you can substitute almost any spaghetti recipe. When you are watching your carb intake it’s a filling and warm winter meal! No, it’s not the…
Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken
Sometimes it’s hard to figure out what to do with chicken. It can get boring. One night after staring in my fridge for a few minutes analyzing ingredients I put together this pretty quick meal. It can be varied with different flavors. I went Greek but you can certainly use any kind of cheese you…
Weeknight Bolognese with Whole Wheat Shells
Meat sauce is a great Sunday dinner: you can make it in the afternoon and let it simmer all day until you are ready to eat. The flavors only get better the longer it cooks. But meat sauce can also be a quick and easy week night meal that you can throw together after a…
Cioppino
Cioppino is pretty much a fish stew. Contrary to popular belief, cioppino did not originate in Italy but is an Italian-American dish. It’s traditionally made from the catch of the day, so you should use fish you can get fresh (and hopefully local when possible). Typically the seafood is combined with tomatoes in a wine…
Poached Egg Parmesan
The Effrens have gotten very creative with eggs over the years. We will put a fried egg on almost anything so we can call it breakfast. But we do have some go to egg dishes that are always extraordinary and this is one of them. Here is our fathers day breakfast Mom and I made…
Grilled Vegetable Quinoa
I love grilled vegetables, especially in the summer. You can eat them as a side, add them to a pasta dish, put them in a fajita, mix them with rice, or in this case make a very healthy and inexpensive light summer meal with quinoa. Quinoa is new to me but I have fallen in…
Asian Chicken Lettuce Cups
Chicken lettuce wraps exploded as a popular appetizer/entree mostly because of P.F. Changs. They are delicious and healthy, or at least you would think. Check out the nutritional facts on PF’s version and you’ll be shocked at the sodium content. I made these a few years ago for my cousin’s wedding shower and recreated them…
Scarola e Fagioli
One of my favorite Italian sides is escarole and beans! It’s healthy, delicious and easy to make in just minutes! It can be used as a side or a main dish since it provides protein and nutrients from the vegetable. Add some chicken broth and top with parmesan cheese and you have yourself a hearty…
Lasagna Soup
If you love lasagna, then you will love this recipe. My friend at work, Marie, showed me a new recipe from Bobby Deen (Paula Deen’s son who is trying to put a healthier twist on Paula’s meals). “Lasagna soup” sounds very strange and I was really hesitant at first. But this lightened up lasagna really…
Grilled Steak and Zucchini Salad
Tonight, I threw together a quick, easy and healthy meal in between work and a meeting. Its feeling like summer outside so what better night to fire up the grill? When you grill you keep the calories down but you don’t sacrifice on flavor. It’s a nice night to grill outside and as bathing suit…
Healthified Chicken Enchiladas
My father is on a new diet so last night’s dinner was all about taking a dish I love (see recipe here: chicken enchiladas verde) and making it calorie friendly. My brother also happened to be home and he is on the opposite end of the diet spectrum. With this dinner we managed to make everyone…
Balsamic Chicken with Tomato and Spinach Penne
Sometimes I get home late, am very tired and have little in my fridge. On my drive home last night I thought about what was in the fridge knowing the pickings were scarce. I got to scheming and had a plan. I called Kyle to put a pot of water on the stove and after…
Stuffed Mushroom “Pizza”
If you are on a low carb diet, if you are a vegetarian, or if you like mushrooms and cheese, then you’ll like this creation! I had 2 leftover portobello mushrooms from our sandwiches (previous recipe) and I didn’t know what to do with them. I also had spinach in my fridge. After googling “spinach…
Healthy Bun-less Burgers
Who doesn’t love a big juicy burger on a fresh sesame bun loaded with all the toppings? While it might be tasty it isn’t the most healthy dinner in the world. I’ve found a way to really enjoy a weeknight burger without all the carbs and fat. I promise it is still delicious. Try this…
Stuffed Pork Chops
Last night was one of those times where the fridge was pretty bare. I knew I had boneless pork chops and bok choy I bought a few days ago but not too much else to work with. I’m not a huge fan of pork chops because to me they don’t really have much flavor, but…
Healthy, Hearty, Potato, Leek & Spinach Soup
When it gets cold, who doesn’t love a big bowl of hot soup? Well, Kyle. He detests soup which is so upsetting to this cook because I would make it almost every night in the winter if he would eat it! Soup is easy to make, hearty and can be very healthy. There are really…
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