All posts tagged: healthy cooking

Food: Dinner Tonight – Spinach and Artichoke Melt – Two Ways

Published by

Sorry to keep opening most of my food posts with this – but in my household there is me following Keto, and others who don’t really want to (yet), so I have to be mindful when announcing our dinner menu. Although really, I seldom announce it, I just make it – one meal, two ways so no one feels left out. This morning I searched for a cheesy, gooey recipe since the crazy cold weather in San Francisco is making me crave comfort foods – and this is what I came across to tweak a portion for my dietary needs: INGREDIENTS 1 tablespoon butter 1 clove garlic minced or grated 1 tablespoon flour  * I usually omit the flour – no need for it really, the cheese is enough thickening ingredient.  1/2 cup milk (I used 2% but whatever you have will be fine)   * I replaced with almond milk or coconut milk for entire meal 1 ounce cream cheese 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese 1/2 cup greek yogurt I used 0% 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1/2 cup frozen chopped spinach thawed, about 5 ounces 1 (8 ounce) jar grilled artichoke hearts or …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Garlic Shrimp with Honey Drizzle

Published by

Although I am following a no-carb no sugar diet, I have to consider the family when preparing dinner – Meaning to clarify – a dish where I can leave out the carbs and enjoy the key parts of the meal to feed my dietary needs. Like this amazing recipe I found here: In this case I simply eat the shrimp and avocado, and pass up on the rice, beans and just maybe have two slices of the plantain or maybe not (I need to be good) INGREDIENTS 1 pound raw tail on shrimp 1/4 cup olive oil 2 tablespoons honey 4-6 cloves garlic finely minced or grated (I like using around 4) 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger 2 jalapenos seeded + chopped 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (use less for less heat maybe 1/4-1/2 teaspoon) 1 teaspoon cumin 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped 4 tablespoons butter 1/4 cup canned coconut milk 2 tablespoons fresh basil chopped + more fore serving kosher salt + pepper steamed white rice + black beans + sliced avocado for serving FRIED PLANTAINS 4 inch yellow plantains sliced into 1/2 rounds oil for frying flaky sea salt {more}

Food: Dinner Tonight – Salmon, Dill and Lemon

Published by

Just to remind, I am following a very strict diet of eliminating carbs and sugar. So, finding creative ways to make dinner is hard. Especially for a family with different dietary needs. This recipe is close to one I already follow when baking salmon – except that is has the option to add the potatoes and a dill yogurt for dipping. In my case, I will leave out the potatoes, and replace the regular yogurt sauce with coconut yogurt. INGREDIENTS 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated 2 lemons 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill 2 teaspoons smoked paprika 2 small potatoes, very thinly sliced using a mandolin 4 6-8 ounce salmon fillets, skinned kosher salt and pepper fresh arugula and basil, for serving 1 cup plain greek yogurt DILL YOGURT 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill juice of 1 lemon 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes {more}  

Food: Healthy Nachos Alternative

Published by

Two weeks into this healthy eating plan – no sugar, no carbs – I find myself having a withdrawals here and there, or maybe its my mind playing tricks on me. But today I woke up craving Nachos, knowing very well the typical tortilla chips included in the recipe is not a smart idea when aiming to wean myself off all things carb-heavy. So naturally the first thing on my list today was to find an alternative to the traditional tortilla chips and aim to make the healthier version of one of my favorite meals/snacks/comfort foods for dinner tonight.  I’ll let you know how it goes, unless of course you’ve tried this recipe and can share your experience with us here. Ingredients Fat Head Tortilla Chips 170 g pre-shredded/grated mozzarella 85 g almond meal/flour 2 tbsp cream cheese 1 egg salt to taste 1 tsp cumin powder 1 tsp coriander/cilantro powder pinch chilli powder Nacho Meat Sauce 1 red onion diced 500 g ground/mince beef 400 g tinned/canned tomatoes diced 1/2 tsp chilli powder, or to taste 1 tbsp tomato paste Topping Options guacamole salsa shredded/grated cheese sour cream jalapeños

Food: Dinner Tonight – White Bean Burger

Published by

I’ll try any veggie burger, at least once, and this one is something the entire clan appreciated a few weeks ago, so I decided to share it here, in case variety in veggie meals is something you need right about now. Sure it’s a bit of work, but make the slaw and aoli the day before or save it all for a lazy Saturday afternoon at home: WHITE BEAN BURGERS WITH FENNEL SLAW   INGREDIENTS – FOR THE BURGERS 2 cloves garlic zest from 1/2 lemon 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1 tablespoon ground flax seeds 1/4 cup chickpea flour 1 15oz can navy beans, drained and rinsed 1/4 cup parsley oil for frying FOR THE SLAW 1 bulb fennel, thinly sliced 1 tablespoon olive oil juice form 1/2 lemon salt and pepper to taste FOR THE CAPER AOLI 1/4 cup capers, roughly chopped 1 clove garlic, minced 1 teaspoon honey 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1/2 teaspoon black pepper {more}

Food: Dinner Tonight – Cauliflower, Cheese, and Tahini

Published by

Sometimes, I just don’t want to eat a full meal – so I tap into what my tastebuds are craving and go from there – in this case: spicy cauliflower cheese bites with tahini ranch INGREDIENTS 2 heads cauliflower, cut into florets 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons hot sauce (I like Franks) 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, more or less to your taste 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder kosher salt and pepper 1/2 cup grated parmesan 1/3 cup grated cheddar TAHINI RANCH 1/4 cup tahini 1/4 cup lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1 pinch cayenne pepper kosher salt and pepper {more}

Food: Dinner Tonight – Chicken Ramen

Published by

Ramen, otherwise known as a type of soup, is an easy meal, and with the ever changing temps in the city by the bay, I think this amazing recipe will have to do for dinner tonight: Ingredients 2 strips thick cut bacon, chopped 1 inch fresh ginger, thinly sliced 4 cups low sodium chicken broth 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce 1/4 cup rice vinegar 2 tablespoons curry paste 1 tablespoon chili paste 3/4 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast 1 ounce dried porcini mushrooms 8 ounces fresh cremini mushrooms, sliced 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil 1 pack ramen noodles 3 cups fresh baby spinach 4 soft or hard boiled eggs, for serving shredded carrots, green onions, chilies and cilantro, for serving