Jalapeno Popper Chicken

Spice up bland chicken with this stuffed chicken dinner.  It’s super simple and only requires 3 ingredients.  That’s right, 3!  Serves 4.

What you’ll need:

• 1/4 cup chopped pickled jalapenos (from a jar)
• 4 ounces room temperature reduced-fat cream cheese
• 4 chicken breasts

What you’ll do:

• Mix together the chopped jalapenos and the cream cheese in a small bowl.
• Cut a slit into each chicken breasts.
• Stuff with 1/4 the cheese mixture and secure with toothpicks.
• Bake at 400 degrees for about 25 minutes.

Recipe and image from EveryDay with Rachael Ray

So what are you waiting for…Get dinner on the table!

Skinny Italian Turkey Meatballs

Makes these meatballs small – they hold together better.  These are great served as-is with toothpicks as an appetizer, for dinner over spaghetti or with a good Italian roll for a sandwich.  Recipe makes 6 servings (4 meatballs each).

What you’ll need:

• 20 ounces ground turkey breast (99% lean)
• 1/4 cup whole-wheat breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1/4 cup parsley, finely chopped
• 1 egg
• 1 large garlic clove, crushed
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper

For the marinara sauce:

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, smashed
• 2 28-ounce cans crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 small onion, keep whole
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• salt
• pepper

What you’ll do:

• In a medium size pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.
• Add garlic and saute until golden, being careful not to burn.
• Add crushed tomatoes, onion, bay leaf, oregano, basil and salt and pepper to taste.
• Stir and reduce the heat to low.  Cover and let simmer.
• In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, parsley, garlic and cheese.
• Mix with your hands until everything is combined.
• Form small meatballs, about the size of a ping-pong ball.
• Add the meatballs to the sauce and cook 20 minutes.
• Discard the onion and serve.

Recipe and image from Skinny Taste.

So what are you waiting for…Get dinner on the table!

Chicken Chunk-Grape Lunchbox Wrap

Do you pack the same turkey and cheese sandwich every.single.day for your kids to take for lunch?  Switch it up a bit with this delicious, healthy and easy-to-assemble wrap.  The ingredients are simple but your kids will be asking me another tomorrow.  This recipe makes 2 servings but is easily doubled.

What you’ll need:

• 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
• 2 cups cooked chicken, diced
• 1 cup grapes, cut in half
• 1/4 cup light ranch dressing
• 2 whole-wheat tortillas

What you’ll do:

• In a medium bowl, toss together the chopped romaine, chicken chunks, grape halves and ranch.
• Place half of the mixture in the middle of each tortilla.
• Fold the tortilla like a burrito and cut in half (optional).
• The best way to store wraps in a lunchbox?  Wrap them in aluminum foil

Recipe and image from Quick Dish

So what are you waiting for…Get dinner on the table!

Shrimp Creole

Celebrate Mardi Gras with this southern-style, Louisiana dish.  Not only is this dinner delicious, but it’s healthy and easy to put together.  Serve over a bed of white rice for a dinner fit for Fat Tuesday.  Recipe serves 4.

What you’ll need:

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped green pepper
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 14-ounce can diced tomatoes
• 8 ounces tomato sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (or 1 teaspoon cornstarch for gluten-free)
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons hot sauce
• 1 green onion, sliced

What you’ll do:

• In a large skillet heat the olive oil over medium heat.
• Add the onion, green pepper, celery and garlic.  Saute until tender.
• Add the tomatoes and the tomato sauce, cayenne pepper, Cajun seasoning and the bay leaf.  Bring to a boil, cover, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes.
• Mix together the flour and the water in a small bowl.  Stir into the tomato mixture and cook for 5 minutes.
• Toss the shrimp with a sprinkle of Cajun seasoning and add to the tomato mixture.
• Add the Worcestershire sauce and the hot sauce; stir to combine.
• Cook for another 5 or 6 minutes, or until the shrimp opaque and cooked through.
• Serve over rice with the green onion slices.

Recipe and image from SkinnyTaste.com

So what are you waiting for…Get dinner on the table.

Easy Vegetable Minestrone

This is soup is a breeze to make!  Plus you can make extra, freeze and reheat any time you’re in a bind at dinner time.  Serve with a salad or crusty bread or keep it really simple with whole-grain crackers.

What you’ll need:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 carrot, peeled and diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 1 cup green beans (fresh or frozen)
• 2 (14 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 2 cups water
• 1 (14 ounce) can white beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup whole wheat elbow macaroni
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• salt and pepper
• Parmesan cheese, for topping

What you’ll do:

• In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
• Add the onion, garlic, carrot and celery.  Cook for 5 minutes, or until lightly browned.
• Add in the zucchini, green beans and diced tomatoes.
• Stir in the broth and water.
• Add  beans, macaroni, oregano and basil.
• Simmer until vegetables and macaroni are tender, about 30-40 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper and serve with a sprinkle of Parmesan.

Recipe and image from The Sweets Life

So what are you waiting for…Get dinner on the table!

Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy

Serve this comforting dish with a side of mashed potatoes and green peas for a hearty meal you don’t have to feel guilty about serving.  If you don’t keep wine in the house, just use more beef broth in place of the red wine.  Makes 4 delicious servings.

What you’ll need:

• 1/3 cup grated onion
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound ground sirloin (beef)
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, quartered
• 1/3 cup red wine
• 1 1/4 cups fat-free, lower sodium beef broth
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar

What you’ll do:

• Combine 1/4 cup onion, pepper, salt, garlic and beef.
• Shape into 4 patties.
• Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and coat with cooking spray.
• Add the patties; cook3 minutes on each side or until browned.
• Melt butter in pan once patties are removed.
• Add the mushrooms and saute for about 4 minutes.
• Stir in the wine and the remaining onion; cook for 2 minutes.
• Combine the broth and flour and add to the pan.  Bring to a boil.
• Cook 5 minutes or until thick.
• Add the patties and the vinegar to the pan and cook 3 minutes.

Recipe and image from Cooking Light.

So what are you waiting for…Get dinner on the table!

Halibut With Citrusy Tomatoes and Capers

This heart-healthy dinner will be ready in 25 minutes.  If you’re not a fan of halibut, or the store just don’t have any, pick another firm-fleshed white fish.  If you’ve never used capers, they’re found near the pickles and add a salty flavor to dishes.  Add a whole-wheat roll and you’ve got dinner for 4.

What you’ll need:

• 1 tablespoon plus one teaspoon olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, sliced
• 1 pint grape tomatoes, cut in half
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup parsley
• 2 tablespoons capers
• salt and pepper
• 4 6-ounce pieces skinless halibut

What you’ll do:

• Heat one tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add the garlic, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Add the tomatoes, orange juice, chopped parsley, capers, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
• Simmer until the tomatoes begin to burst, about 4-5 minutes.
• In another pan, heat the remaining teaspoon of oil over medium-high heat.
• Season the fish with 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper.
• Cook the fish about 3-5 minutes on each side.
• Serve with the tomatoes.

Recipe and image from Real Simple.

So what are you waiting for…Get dinner on the table!

Copycat Panera Asian Sesame Salad

If you’ve never been to Panera (sadly we don’t have one in the Rocky Mount area), you’re missing out.  But bring Panera to your kitchen table with this Asian Sesame Salad copycat.  Don’t let the ingredient list scare you!  This salad is packed with flavor and good-for-you-ingredients!  Makes 4 large salads.

What you’ll need:

• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons brown sugar or honey
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 4 chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup rice vinegar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds, toasted
• handful chopped cilantro
• 11-ounce can mandarin oranges (packed in water or juice – rinse if packed in syrup)
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds
• Baked tortilla strips
• sesame seeds, for serving
• 1 bag lettuce
• 1 bag baby spinach

What you’ll do:

• Whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, ground ginger and the garlic powder.  Marinate the chicken for 15 minutes
• Grill or cook in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until done, about 15 minutes.
• Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then slice.
• For the dressing, bring the rice vinegar to a boil in a small saucepan.
• Turn off the heat once it comes to a boil and add the sugar, stirring to dissolve.
• Let cool, then combine with the canola oil, 1 1/2 teaspoons sesame oil, salt and toasted sesame seeds.  Whisk.
• To assemble, divide the greens among 4 plates.  Top with sliced chicken, cilantro, mandarin oranges, sliced almonds, tortilla strips and sesame seeds.  Drizzle on the dressing and serve!

Recipe and image from Iowa Girl Eats

So what are you waiting for…Get dinner on the table!

Rocky Road Brownies

Happy Valentines Day!  Surprise your kids with this super-rich made-from-scratch-brownie.  It’s extra gooey and 190 calories per brownie (recipe makes 16 brownies).

What you’ll need:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 1/2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 egg whites
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 8 regular-size marshmallows
• 2/3 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
• 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

What you’ll do:

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
• Line a 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper (found near aluminum foil – your baked goods won’t stick!).
• Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt together in a bowl.
• Melt the butter in a saucepan.
• Remove from heat, stir in the cocoa powder, then stir in the sugar.
• Add egg, egg whites and vanilla.  Stir until smooth and glossy.
• Stir in the flour mixture until just combined.
• Then stir briskly for about 50 strokes.
• Scrape into the prepared dish and smooth it out evenly.
• Quarter the marshmallows with an oiled knife (or spray the knife with Pam).
• Sprinkle evenly on top of the batter along with the nuts and chocolate chips.
• Bake 25 to 35 minutes (brownies in a metal pan will bake faster than those in a glass dish).
• Let cool for about 2 hours then cut.

Recipe and image from Eating Well.

So what are you waiting for…Get dinner on the table!

Mexican Black Bean and Spinach Pizza

Not only is this pizza delicious but it makes awesome leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch.  That is, if there are leftovers.  This recipe serves 4.

What you’ll need:

• 1 pre-made pizza crust (such as Boboli)
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 2/3 cup chopped onion
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 cup bottled salsa
• 1/2 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained and squeezed dry
• 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

What you’ll do:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Place crust on baking sheet; bake for 5 minutes or until crisp.
• Mash bean with a fork; combine with onion, cumin, chili powder and garlic in a medium bowl.
• Spread the bean mixture over the crust, leaving a 1-inch border.
• Spoon the salsa over the bean mixture; top with spinach.
• Drizzle with hot sauce; sprinkle with cheese.
• Bake for 15 minutes.

Recipe and image from Cooking Light.

So what are you waiting for...Get dinner on the table!