Turkey: Classic Meatball (Gluten Free)

This is Part 2 of the Gluten Free Turkey Meatball request that be found on the Savor and Nourish Facebook Page. This one more closely resembles a classic meatball. Of course it's a bit healthier substituting the pork, veal, beef, and prosciutto with ground turkey.

Chicken: Baja Bleu Wrap

As you may have picked up by now, it's winter in my neck of the woods. In years past, the Weber was packed up (or buried in snow) until May. This year I'm completely rebelling against the season. Nothing beats meat on the charcoal grill. Nothing. The grilled chicken in this wrap turned out so juicy and flavorful. Add a tiny bit of BBQ, some avocado, and (barely noticeably) low-cal bleu cheese. EXPLOSION of flavor. All for just 325 calories.Or if you're an athlete like my hubby, double up on the chicken, it's still only 445 calories.

Mini Post: Celery & Bleu Cheese Spread

My mom-in-law suggested Laughing Cow cheese as a low-cal spread or a cheese substitute for sandwiches. I found a Light Bleu Cheese version on sale for $2.50. I've had this in the fridge for a good week now. Today, I was working on my lunch idea and thought..."I should try this adorably packaged, 35 calorie cheese."

Verdict: It's amazing. Amazing!

So I spread some on celery and immediately had to share it with you!

Celery & Bleu Cheese Spread
(makes 1 serving)
(a whopping 55 calories)

2 celery stalks
1 Laughing Cow Light Bleu Cheese wedge
a pinch fresh cracked pepper

1. Wash and slice celery stalks as you wish.

2. Stuff with bleu cheese spread and sprinkle with pepper.

3. Enjoy!

Vegetarian: Rice and Beans Stew

You know when you get that first little scratch in your throat? Am I thirsty? Or is it a cold coming on? Well I felt it tonight and decided it was time for soup. I basically took a little-of-everything approach and ransacked all available veggies. I was hungry, and figured veggies alone would not fill me up. I added some beans and a quinoa & rice mix that my husband found at Costco (of all places!!).

Pork: Boneless Chops Baked with Apple Butter

Earlier this week I was on a mission to bake a healthier cookie. I did some research on butter substitutes. One option is fruit puree. More on that later, but my point is that I stumbled upon this stuff called Apple Butter. It's pureed apples and apple cider. No butter involved. Fat free. I wasn't having luck with the sweets, so I thought I'd try it on something else. Boneless pork chops looked amazing at Trader Joe's. And voila! A delicious dinner idea was born.

I found this apple butter in the peanut butter & jelly area in Stop'n'Shop. I think they have all different types of fruit puree at specialty stores, health food stores, and standard grocery stores. It should be easy to find. I chose this one because it's 100% fruit and fruit juice. Some varieties had stuff that I couldn't pronounce. 

Pizza: Loaded Baked Potato

My husband and I met at UConn. We have so many fond memories of that place. One of our favorite foodie spots was (is) a place called Willington Pizza. They make, arguably, the. best. pizza. ever. My husband's hands-down favorite; Red Potato Pizza. It's an amazing creation. Take a delicious loaded baked potato... sour cream, green onions, broccoli, cheddar cheese, and bacon... and add an amazingly crispy thin pizza crust. Pure heaven. Of course, it's not exactly what I'd call health-food.

Tonight's mission, create a healthy version of the nostalgic potato pie.

Sweets: Cran-Apple Quinoa Cake

I recently joined FoodBuzz and am now connected to tons of great people with fantastic food blogs of their own. I found a recipe for Apple Quinoa Cake and just had to try it. My husband and I love quinoa in savory dishes but have never tried it in something sweet. I didn't have all the ingredients on hand, so this is my adaptation. I love the texture. It's very hearty. Something similar to a dense banana bread. Enjoy!

Adapted from Anjas Food 4 Thought

I'll call it.... Black Bean Burger and Mango Salsa

This was my lunch today....




Delish. Here's the ingredients:

1/4 cup fat free plain greek yogurt (tastes like sour cream)
1/2 low sodium black beans
flour
water
garlic powder
cumin
thyme
chili powder
EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
1/2 tomato (diced)
Mango Salsa (I made my own using diced mango, lime juice, cilantro, diced red pepper, and some diced shallots. But you can buy premade just about anywhere.)

1. Mash black beans. Add tsp water, and maybe a tbs of flour. Add a dash or two of all the spices. Mix well. Add flour/water until you get the consistency you desire (the more flour, the better it'll hold together, but the texture will be more dry). My burger is usually a little mushy.

2. Add tsp olive oil to frying pan over med/high heat.

3. Plop black bean mix onto the hot oil. Smush it into a burger shape, about a 1/2 inch thick. Fry each side about 2 mins.

4. Layer Greek Yogurt (directly on the plate), black bean burger, tomatoes, and mango salsa.

5. Enjoy!


Notes:
There's a million variations on this recipe. Add avocados, use regular salsa, use whatever spices you have on hand, put the burger on an english muffin or burger bun or taco shells!

It's ALMOST a fat free recipe. If you want it to be fat free, skip the olive oil and be sure to use a non-stick frying pan.