Whether you are cooking your own meal for one, entertaining for a crowd, or planning a romantic meal for an upcoming date, cooking does not have to be a chore. Here are some of my favorite simple yet relatively healthy recipes. Check back frequently as I'm always testing out new recipes and looking for successful ones to share!
Wake-Up Smoothie (a great way to start the day)
You will need:
1/2 cup frozen raspberries
8 oz container of vanilla greek yogurt
1 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tablespoons almonds
1 tsp sunflower or chia seeds
Combine all ingredients except for sunflower/chia seeds in blender. Pour into a bowl, top with sunflower or chia seeds and enjoy!
Fruity Breakfast Bites
You will need:
1/2 cup or more of granola
1/4 cup of dried fruit (I used apricots)
1 small container of yogurt (you'll have some left over)
toothpicks
two plates
Sprinkle granola in one plate
Stick a toothpick in each piece of dried fruit
Dip the dried fruit in yogurt, coating lightly
Dip the yogurt covered dried fruit in granola, using your hands to distribute it evenly
Place fruit bites on plate and enjoy! This makes for an excellent breakfast or snack.
Sunrise Fruit Parfaits
You will need:
1 (5-6 oz )container of yogurt in the flavor of your choice, divided
1 cup granola, divided
½ cup fresh fruit such as sliced strawberries
What to do:
Place ½ cup granola at the bottom of your glass
Spoon approximately ½ of the yogurt container’s contents on top of the granola
Place the remaining ½ cup of granola on top of the yogurt
Spoon the remainder of the yogurt on top of the granola
Top with fruit
You will need:
1 (5-6 oz )container of yogurt in the flavor of your choice, divided
1 cup granola, divided
½ cup fresh fruit such as sliced strawberries
What to do:
Place ½ cup granola at the bottom of your glass
Spoon approximately ½ of the yogurt container’s contents on top of the granola
Place the remaining ½ cup of granola on top of the yogurt
Spoon the remainder of the yogurt on top of the granola
Top with fruit
DIY Brown Sugar Latte
You will need:
1/4 cup skim milk
1 tablespoon brown sugar
3/4 cup "strong" brewed coffee (I used french roast)
whipped cream
1 teaspoon caramel topping
What to do:
Mix together skim milk and brown sugar in a large mug
Heat skim milk mixture in microwave for 1 minute
Stir with whisk
Add 3/4 cup brewed coffee and stir together
Add whipped cream
Drizzle caramel on top of whipped cream
You will need:
1/4 cup skim milk
1 tablespoon brown sugar
3/4 cup "strong" brewed coffee (I used french roast)
whipped cream
1 teaspoon caramel topping
What to do:
Mix together skim milk and brown sugar in a large mug
Heat skim milk mixture in microwave for 1 minute
Stir with whisk
Add 3/4 cup brewed coffee and stir together
Add whipped cream
Drizzle caramel on top of whipped cream
Breadless Turkey Sandwich
You will need:
One medium-large cucumber, peeled
8-12 slices of thinly sliced turkey (may be deli meat)
2 Tbsp garlic and herb cream cheese spread (I used Alouette)
What to do:
Slice cucumber lengthwise so that you have two long halves
Now cut each half down the middle
Using a dull knife or small spoon, remove seeds by scraping them.
Spread cream cheese in the hollowed-out space on all four cucumber quarters.
Roll each turkey slice. Place rolled slices on top of the cream cheese (lengthwise) on two of your cucumber quarters.
Match up each turkey filled cucumber quarter with one that does not contain turkey, and put together like a sandwich.
You will now have two halves of a turkey, cucumber, and cheese sandwich.
This makes for a great snack or lunch. Enjoy!!
You will need:
One medium-large cucumber, peeled
8-12 slices of thinly sliced turkey (may be deli meat)
2 Tbsp garlic and herb cream cheese spread (I used Alouette)
What to do:
Slice cucumber lengthwise so that you have two long halves
Now cut each half down the middle
Using a dull knife or small spoon, remove seeds by scraping them.
Spread cream cheese in the hollowed-out space on all four cucumber quarters.
Roll each turkey slice. Place rolled slices on top of the cream cheese (lengthwise) on two of your cucumber quarters.
Match up each turkey filled cucumber quarter with one that does not contain turkey, and put together like a sandwich.
You will now have two halves of a turkey, cucumber, and cheese sandwich.
This makes for a great snack or lunch. Enjoy!!
Easy-Make Beer Bread (serves more than one, but leftovers freeze well)
You will need:
3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3 Tablespoons white sugar
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
12 oz beer
1 egg, gently beaten
baking sheet
wire rack
Adjust oven rack to lower-middle and heat oven to 375 degrees. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Slowly add beer and stir until just combined. Knead dough on a lightly-floured surface and make a ball. Place ball of bread on a lightly greased baking sheet. Using a knife, draw an "X" on the top of the bread ball. Brush with beaten egg. Bake until golden brown, approximately 45 min. Transfer to wire rack to cool. Yields 12 slices.
You will need:
3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3 Tablespoons white sugar
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
12 oz beer
1 egg, gently beaten
baking sheet
wire rack
Adjust oven rack to lower-middle and heat oven to 375 degrees. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Slowly add beer and stir until just combined. Knead dough on a lightly-floured surface and make a ball. Place ball of bread on a lightly greased baking sheet. Using a knife, draw an "X" on the top of the bread ball. Brush with beaten egg. Bake until golden brown, approximately 45 min. Transfer to wire rack to cool. Yields 12 slices.
Tantalizing Toast: sweet meets salty in this tasty snack
You will need:
one slice of bread
1/3 avocado, mashed
3 large strawberries, sliced
1 tablespoon goat cheese, crumpled
1 dash of balsamic vinegar, if desired
1 knife
What to do:
Slightly toast the slice of bread. Spread on mashed avocado, top with strawberry slices and goat cheese. Broil in open oven for 1 minute, just until warm. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar if desired.
You will need:
one slice of bread
1/3 avocado, mashed
3 large strawberries, sliced
1 tablespoon goat cheese, crumpled
1 dash of balsamic vinegar, if desired
1 knife
What to do:
Slightly toast the slice of bread. Spread on mashed avocado, top with strawberry slices and goat cheese. Broil in open oven for 1 minute, just until warm. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar if desired.
Pretzel Chicken Fingers
1 boneless, skinless chicken breast
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 cups of pretzels, any shape, I used minis
3 T olive oil
3 paper plates
Cut chicken breast into small finger shaped pieces.
Crush pretzels to create small, crumb-like pieces
Using 3 paper plates, arrange a breading assembly line, one flour, one
buttermilk, one pretzel crumbs. Dip chicken pieces into flour, buttermilk
and finally pretzel crumbs.
Heat olive oil in a non stick skillet. Fry chicken pieces until browned
about 2 minutes each side.
1 boneless, skinless chicken breast
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 cups of pretzels, any shape, I used minis
3 T olive oil
3 paper plates
Cut chicken breast into small finger shaped pieces.
Crush pretzels to create small, crumb-like pieces
Using 3 paper plates, arrange a breading assembly line, one flour, one
buttermilk, one pretzel crumbs. Dip chicken pieces into flour, buttermilk
and finally pretzel crumbs.
Heat olive oil in a non stick skillet. Fry chicken pieces until browned
about 2 minutes each side.
Pizza Mexicana
You will need:
1 large tortilla
½ cup sliced, grilled chicken seasoned with fajita seasoning or a similar spice
½ cup lettuce, shredded
¼ cup chopped tomato
1/8 cup green onion
¾ cup cheddar cheese or Mexican blend, divided
Optional: one dash of Adobo seasoning
Nonstick cooking spray
One medium-large skillet
One baking sheet or cookie sheet, surface area covered with foil
Small bowl
Pizza cutter or knife
What to do:
Coat medium-large skillet with non-stick spray.
Heat tortilla in a medium-large skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until slightly crispy around the edges.
Place tortilla on foil-covered baking sheet.
Disperse ¼ cup cheese on top of tortilla.
Mix chicken, lettuce, tomato, and green onion together in a small bowl.
Spread mixture on top of cheese-covered tortilla.
Use the last ½ cup of cheese to top the mixture.
Add one dash of Adobo seasoning, if desired.
Place baking sheet in oven and broil until cheese is melted (3-5 minutes)
Cut into quarters and enjoy.
You will need:
1 large tortilla
½ cup sliced, grilled chicken seasoned with fajita seasoning or a similar spice
½ cup lettuce, shredded
¼ cup chopped tomato
1/8 cup green onion
¾ cup cheddar cheese or Mexican blend, divided
Optional: one dash of Adobo seasoning
Nonstick cooking spray
One medium-large skillet
One baking sheet or cookie sheet, surface area covered with foil
Small bowl
Pizza cutter or knife
What to do:
Coat medium-large skillet with non-stick spray.
Heat tortilla in a medium-large skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until slightly crispy around the edges.
Place tortilla on foil-covered baking sheet.
Disperse ¼ cup cheese on top of tortilla.
Mix chicken, lettuce, tomato, and green onion together in a small bowl.
Spread mixture on top of cheese-covered tortilla.
Use the last ½ cup of cheese to top the mixture.
Add one dash of Adobo seasoning, if desired.
Place baking sheet in oven and broil until cheese is melted (3-5 minutes)
Cut into quarters and enjoy.
Steak Fajita Pita
You will need:
4 oz of flank steak, sliced thinly
¼ cup slided yellow or white onion
¼ cup sliced bell peppers
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ tsp greek seasoning
1 pita
ranch dressing
1 large skillet
1 gallon-sized ziplock bag
What to do:
Combine first five ingredients in a large ziplock bag.
Secure bag and shake gently until combined
Pour contents of the bag into the large skillet
Cook over medium heat for 5-8 minutes, or until flank steak is cooked through
Heat pita for 20-30 seconds in the microwave
Scoop contents of skillet into a pita and top with ranch dressing as desired
You will need:
4 oz of flank steak, sliced thinly
¼ cup slided yellow or white onion
¼ cup sliced bell peppers
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ tsp greek seasoning
1 pita
ranch dressing
1 large skillet
1 gallon-sized ziplock bag
What to do:
Combine first five ingredients in a large ziplock bag.
Secure bag and shake gently until combined
Pour contents of the bag into the large skillet
Cook over medium heat for 5-8 minutes, or until flank steak is cooked through
Heat pita for 20-30 seconds in the microwave
Scoop contents of skillet into a pita and top with ranch dressing as desired
Easy-Freezy Lasagna Roll-ups
This is a healthy lasagna recipe that retains its flavor when frozen and reheated in the oven. Make, freeze, and have something to look forward to after a long day at work when cooking is the last thing on your mind.
You will need:
9x16 baking dish
cooking spray
Large bowl
1 (16 oz) box of lasagna noodles
1 (15 oz) container of ricotta cheese
1 lb shredded mozzarella
1 (10 oz) box of chopped spinach: thawed, drained, and squeezed dry
1 (26-28 oz) jar of pasta sauce
2cups shredded parmesan cheese
Optional: One disposable cake decorating bag (see “timesaver hint” below)
What to do:
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles for 5 to 8 minutes. Drain
In a large bowl, combine shredded mozzarella, ricotta cheese, spinach, and 1 cup parmesan cheese.
Lay out lasagna noodles on a flat surface. Spread a layer of the cheese mixture on the noodle, followed by a thin layer of sauce. Roll the noodle up, and place seam side down in a 13x9 pan. Repeat for other noodles.
Top with remaining sauce and Parmesan cheese.
Bake in a preheated 350 degree F (175 degree C) oven for 30 min, or until hot and bubbly.
Timesaver Hint: Sometimes, it can be frustrating to evenly divide the cheese/spinach mixture. If you have a disposable cake decorating bag lying around, it may come in handy. Simply spoon the cheese mixture into the bag, secure the end of the bag, and snip the tip.
This is a healthy lasagna recipe that retains its flavor when frozen and reheated in the oven. Make, freeze, and have something to look forward to after a long day at work when cooking is the last thing on your mind.
You will need:
9x16 baking dish
cooking spray
Large bowl
1 (16 oz) box of lasagna noodles
1 (15 oz) container of ricotta cheese
1 lb shredded mozzarella
1 (10 oz) box of chopped spinach: thawed, drained, and squeezed dry
1 (26-28 oz) jar of pasta sauce
2cups shredded parmesan cheese
Optional: One disposable cake decorating bag (see “timesaver hint” below)
What to do:
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles for 5 to 8 minutes. Drain
In a large bowl, combine shredded mozzarella, ricotta cheese, spinach, and 1 cup parmesan cheese.
Lay out lasagna noodles on a flat surface. Spread a layer of the cheese mixture on the noodle, followed by a thin layer of sauce. Roll the noodle up, and place seam side down in a 13x9 pan. Repeat for other noodles.
Top with remaining sauce and Parmesan cheese.
Bake in a preheated 350 degree F (175 degree C) oven for 30 min, or until hot and bubbly.
Timesaver Hint: Sometimes, it can be frustrating to evenly divide the cheese/spinach mixture. If you have a disposable cake decorating bag lying around, it may come in handy. Simply spoon the cheese mixture into the bag, secure the end of the bag, and snip the tip.
Perfect-ending Pears:
You will need:
1 pear
1/4 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1/8-1//4 tsp ground cinnamon (depending on preference)
What to do:
Mix ricotta and cinnamon in small bowl
Halve and core pear
Broil pear for 7-9 minutes, until warm and tender
Top pear halves with ricotta-cinnamon mixture
Enjoy!
Watermelon Snow Cone
You will need:
1/2 lime, juiced
5-6 oz watermelon chunks with pits removed
1/8 cup honey
What to do:
Combine watermelon, lime juice, and honey in a blender until smooth. Pour into a small baking dish and freeze for at least 4 hours. Once frozen, use a fork to scrape into cups or bowls.
You will need:
1/2 lime, juiced
5-6 oz watermelon chunks with pits removed
1/8 cup honey
What to do:
Combine watermelon, lime juice, and honey in a blender until smooth. Pour into a small baking dish and freeze for at least 4 hours. Once frozen, use a fork to scrape into cups or bowls.
