Garlic Panko Broccoli

This was such a yummy and fun twist on broccoli! Even Dan, who isn't a veggie eater enjoyed it! Obviously, this isn't as clean as eating raw or steamed broccoli - but every now and then you need to switch it up!

What you need:

• 1 pound of broccoli (I used fresh, if you want to use frozen just make sure the ice is completely removed)
• 2-4 tbsp. of extra virgin olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• dash of salt
• dash of pepper
• 2 tbsp. shredded parmesan cheese
• 1/3 cup of panko bread crumbs

What you need to do:

1. Preheat oven to 425
2. Place the broccoli in a large bowl.
3. Add olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper - stir to get the broccoli completely coated.
4. Add in the bread crumbs and shredded parm. - stir until well mixed
5. Transfer to a lightly greased cookie sheet (I covered the cookie sheet with foil for easier clean up!)
6. Roast in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the broccoli is browned.
7. Enjoy!

Clean Stuffed Shells

I love these! A high protein meal that isn't CHICKEN!!! Only problem that I had was that I couldn't find whole wheat shells... I was going to just put the filling on my plate with noodles and sauce over it, but we were having family over and I wanted to try my recipe out on them! No one ever noticed the healthy swap of cottage cheese for ricotta!

What you need:

• 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
• 1 cup fat-free cottage cheese
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp. dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 3 cups canned low-sodium tomato sauce
• 1 pound of cooked jumbo shells

What you need to do:

1. Preheat over to 375.
2. Mix together cheeses, garlic powder, oregano and pepper
3. Spread a few spoonful of sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 baking pan
4. When cooked shells are cool enough to handle, fill each shell with the filling mixture and place in baking dish. When all shells are in the pan, spoon remaining tomato sauce over shells.
5. Cover pan and bake for 20 minutes

Each shell is about 50 calories... so 4 shells only 200 calories!!! ENJOY!



 

Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Spinach

 

This is my new favorite dish!!! 5 ingredients, 1 dish, 15 minutes - family pleaser! Does it get any better than that? Fabulous flavor! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

What you need:

• 3 tbsp. butter
• 3 cloves of fresh garlic minced
• 2 chicken breasts - diced
• 1/2 c parm cheese
• 2 cups of spinach

What you need to do:

1. Saute garlic in butter for 2-3 minutes
2. Add chicken and cook until no longer pink.
3. Add parm cheese until melted and chicken is coated.
4. Add spinach and cook until wilted.
5. Serve alone or over whole wheat pasta or zoodles!
6. Enjoy!

Garlic Mushroom Quinoa

 

This was my first time having quinoa, I had to see what all the hype was about! I am addicted!

 

What you need:

• 1 c quinoa
• 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 1 pound of mushrooms, thinly sliced
• 5 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 2 tbsp. grated parmesan

What you need to do:

1. In a large saucepan, add 2 cups of water and 1 cup of quinoa and cook according to package directions
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat - add mushrooms, garlic and thyme... cook, stirring occasionally about 5 minutes
3. Salt and pepper to taste
4. Stir in quinoa until well combined.
5. Garnish with Parmesan
6. Enjoy!

Mashed Red Potatoes!

I love mashed potatoes, especially in the winter - growing up I ate mashed potatoes like most of you did - yellow potatoes, peeled, boiled, butter, milk, salt (and when my dad made them he always added sour cream and cream cheese)... Potatoes are a great, clean side if made well - another reason I love potatoes - perfect for my frugal budget!!! So as I embraced a healthier lifestyle, I knew I had to clean up one of my favorite side dishes... and tah-dah! One pot, no peeling, 30 minutes - right up my alley!

What you need:

• Bag of red potatoes
• organic butter
• fresh chopped chives or freeze dried chives
• garlic salt

What you need to do:

1. Wash potatoes
2. Cube potatoes
3. Put them in a large pot, fill with water just covering potatoes
4. Place over high flame, once boiling - turn on medium and cover - cook until potatoes are soft, usually 20-30 minutes
5. Strain potatoes
6. Hand mash, add butter (I add 1 tbsp. per 4 potatoes), add in garlic salt and chives to taste
7. I topped mine with freshly grated Colby Jack Cheese
8. Serve and Enjoy!