Asian Pork Rotini

6 oz uncooked rotini wheat noodles
2 tsp cornstarch
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup reduced fat creamy peanut butter
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp honey
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp fresh ginger (or 1/8 tsp ground)
4 pork chops, cubed
3 tsp seasame oil
1 large onion, sliced

Cook pasta according to package directions. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and water until smooth. Whisk in the peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, garlic powder and ginger until blended. Set Aside. In a large nonstick skillet or wok, stir-fry the onions in oil for 3-4 minutes. Add cubed pork chops, and cook until pork is no longer pink. Stir in sauce, and mix with noodles.

yum yum yum! This was different - not a recipe I would typically pick out of a cookbook and try. But since I had all the ingredients, I threw it in the mix. I am SO GLAD I did! This really was great! I served it with roasted asparagus. Delicious!

Bean Burritos (Vegetarian)

1/2 cup instant brown rice
1 small green pepper, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1 tsp olive oil
1 can (15 oz) pinto beans, rinsed & drained
1 cup no-salt-added diced tomatoes
4 oz fat free cream cheese
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp oregano
1/3 cup fat free shredded cheddar
Jarred or fresh salsa
8 whole wheat tortillas (I use xtreme)

Cook rice according to package directions. In a large skillet, saute peppers & onions in oil until tender. In a large bowl, mash beans. Add the beans, tomatoes, cream cheese & seasonings to the skillet. Cook and stir until heated through. Stir in rice.

Spoon 1/8 filling into each tortilla, top with a spoonful (1-2 tbsp) salsa. Roll into burritos. Top with cheese & Bake at 350 for 10 minutes, until cheese is melted.

These were easy and FAST! My husband is a meat-eater, and isn't a fan of any meal that doesn't include meat. When he asked what was for dinner, and I said "Bean burritos", his response was "oh, no meat?". He took his first bite and said "WOW! These are good!" So, I say they were a success!

Deconstructed Cabbage Rolls

1 lb ground beef
1 garlic clove, minced
1 small head cabbage, chopped
2/3 cup uncooked long grain rice
1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp cayenne
1/4 tsp pepper
1 can (28oz) crushed tomatoes
1/4 tsp salt

In a large pot, cook beef and garlic until meat is no longer pink. (Drain now if needed). Stir in cabbage, water, rice, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, basil, cayenne and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and summer for 25-30 minutes, or until rice is tender.
Stir in tomatoes and salt, heat through.

yum, yum, yum! This was like cabbage rolls - in a fraction of the time! A one pot meal!

Chili Mac - comfort food at its best!

2 cups uncooked whole wheat elbow noodles
1 lb lean ground beef (or turkey)
1 small onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp olive oil
1 can black beans, rinsed
1 can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can tomato sauce (8 oz)
1-2 tbsp hot pepper sauce
2-3 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp cayenne
1/4 tsp pepper
3/4 cup fat free cheddar cheese - shredded

Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, cook the beef, onion, garlic in oil over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. (drain now if needed)
Add the beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce, pepper sauce and seasonings. Drain macaroni, stir into mixture. Cook over medium low heat for 5 minutes, or until heated through. Sprinkle with cheese.

This was very very good! It was comforting, filling, and healthy! :) Can't argue with that! This would also freeze well - either in large freezer ziploc bags, or in casserole dishes - just leave the cheese off until you are going to eat!

Chicken Pita Pizzas

4 pita breads
1/2 cup refried beans (canned)
1/2 cup salsa
1 cup cubed cooked chicken (We are using leftover chicken from piri piri chicken)
2 tbsp green chilies
3/4 cup shredded fat free cheddar
1/2 cup fat free sour cream
yellow onion

Slice & saute onion until tender. Place pita breads on an ungreased baking sheet, spread with beans. Top with salsa, chicken, chilies, onions & cheese. Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Serve with Sour Cream.

These were easy, fast, comforting, and best of all - healthy! I'm already anxious for lunch tomorrow!

Piri Piri Chicken & Potatoes

I cooked a whole chicken. If anyone knows me well, they know this is crazy. I don't like touching raw meat. Or seeing bones. Much less cleaning & skinning one. But, this was good... if you can get through the prep.

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
10 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp olie oil
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp paprika
1/2 tsp cayenne
1 whole chicken - skin removed
2 lb mini yokon gold potatoes (I found minis!)
2 tbsp fresh thyme
2 tsp lemon zest
sea salt & black pepper

In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup lemon juice, 8 cloves garlic, 2 tbsp oil, vinegar, paprika and cayenne. Place chicken in a large sealable plastic bag. Pour in marinade, turning to coat. Seal bag, refrigerate 1 hour to overnight.

Preheat oven to 375

In a large bowl, toss potatoes with remaining oil, thyme, lemon zest, garlic, salt & pepper. Remove chicken from marinade and place into a 9x13 inch roasting pan, breast side down, and arrange potatoes around chicken. Roast for 40 minutes. Remove pan carefully, turn chicken breast side up and baste with juices. Stir potatoes. Place back in oven for another 40 minutes.

Balsamic Salmon and cauliflower poppers

Balsamic Salmon:
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp olive oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tsp dijon mustard
1 tbsp water
1.5 tsp honey
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 salmon fillets


Line baking dish with foil, coat in cooking spray.
In a small saucepan, saute garlic in oil until tender. Stir in vinegar, mustard, water, honey, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, simmer uncovered for 3-5 minutes or until slightly thickened. Set aside 2 tbsp for basting.
Place fillets on prepared pan. Brush with sauce. Bake, uncovered, at 425 for 12-15 minutes (depends how you like your salmon) until salmon flakes. Brush with reserved sauce.


Cauliflower poppers: 1 head of cauliflower cut in pieces tossed with 1/8 cup olive oil, salt & pepper. Baked at 425 for one hour, tossed every 20 minutes.

We had this with wild rice. The salmon was very flavorful, and the cauliflower I could of eaten for a snack - right off the pan! Delicious!