I love my cast iron skillet! It’s incredibly versatile and easy to clean. Since we don’t have a grill, it’s great for quickly cooking meat. I whipped up these pork chops in 15 minutes and they were juicy and flavorful. I just put together a quick spice rub consisting of whatever I have on hand. Here, I used cayenne pepper, garlic powder, dried parsley, red pepper flakes and sea salt. Rosemary or thyme work as well. Recipe and photos after the jump. Prep Time: 2 minutes Cook Time: 12-14 minutes Ingredients: Cast Iron Skillet 1lb boneless center cut pork chops 1 tbsp olive oil Spice rub for the meat Step [...]
Mashed Cannellini Beans – A Quick Healthy Sidedish
This protein and fiber rich side dish is a healthier and more filling alternative to mashed potatoes. Packed with magnesium, iron and folate, cannellini beans have twice as much iron as beef! Try this quick, tasty dish tonight. Full recipe and photos after the jump Prep Time: Less then 5 minutes Cook Time: 15-30 minutes Ingredients: 1 cup dried cannellini beans, soaked and ready to cook (or 2 15oz cans, rinsed and drained) 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 tsp minced garlic 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped (or 1 tbsp dried) 2 tbsp fresh grated parmesan cheese 1 cup low sodium veggie broth Step by Step Instructions: 1. In a medium [...]
Thai Chicken Soup
This is a very untraditional Thai soup. I wanted to make a tasty chicken soup that incorporates traditional Thai flavors with some of my favorite veggies. The complex flavors in the spicy broth compliment the noodles and vegetables. I added kale, snow peas, carrots and bamboo shoots to increase the fiber, antioxidants and folate. Additionally, I braise the chicken in the aromatics and broth to intensify the flavor of both the soup and the chicken. You can substitute pre-cooked chicken if you prefer. This recipe also heavily features lemongrass. If you’re not familiar with this superfood, its a common addition to many Asian dishes and has many health benefits. Lemongrass [...]
Homemade Pretzels
Warm homemade soft pretzels are a crowd pleasing appetizer or snack. Serve with mustard and beer for a tasty game day treat. Having eaten soft pretzels at ballgames for years, I never thought I could make them easily at home. The key is the two step cooking process. First you boil the pretzels with baking soda and then you bake them to a crisp. The finished product is as good as any I’ve had at Fenway. Full recipe and photos after the jump! Prep Time: 10 minutes Rise Time: 1 hour Cook Time: approx. 20 minutes Ingredients: 1 2/3 cups whole wheat flour 1 cup white flour 1/3 cup grated [...]
Brussels Sprout Hash
I love all variations of hash and am constantly trying to figure out new ways to put together this tasty dish. I just concocted this fabulous version that can be a great dinner or an impressive weekend brunch. Topped with poached eggs, its a complete and filling meal. Full recipe after the jump! Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Ingredients: 1 lb Brussels sprouts, washed and chopped (see photo) 1 medium red onion, sliced on the grain 1 tsp minced garlic 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 4 strips of uncooked bacon, uncured is best, diced 6 eggs optional: 1/2 lb red potatoes, washed and cubed 2 tbsp [...]
Super Lean Chili
Spicy, filling chili is a great fall comfort food and an essential part of any football menu. It is so great to cook up a big pot of this and have leftovers for days. I like to serve it with some shredded jack cheese and blue corn tortilla chips. My version is low in calories and is loaded with filling protein and fiber. This recipe makes 8 servings which can be frozen for a quick dinner or a tasty lunch. It also includes three different types of beans, which add a ton of calcium, potassium, Vitamin B6, magnesium, folate, alpha-linolenic acid and antioxidants. Full recipe after the jump! Ingredients: 1 [...]
Connect Up