keep your diet real

Five of these recipes are healthy….one is a bit of a splurge. Can you guess which one?

#1 Recipe: Salsa

Ingredients

• Plum tomatoes – 6 rinsed, seeded and diced     
• Red onion – 1/4 cup diced finely
• Garlic – 3 cloves minced
• Jalapeno – rinsed, seeded and diced
• Scallions – 2 scallions rinsed and diced
• Cilantro – 1/4 cup rinsed and chopped
• Sea salt (to taste)
• Lime juice – juice of 1 lime
• Makes about 2.5-3 cups

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients above in a medium size mixing bowl. Serve salsa with tortilla chips or as a garnish for grilled steak/chicken

#2 Recipe: Queso Dip

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon of canola oil or vegetable oil
• 1/4 white onion diced         
• 1/2 jalapeno, rinsed, seeded and finely diced
• 12 oz white American cheese (grated or shredded) you can find this in the deli area of the market.
• 4 oz pepper jack cheese, shredded
• 6 oz milk (or cream)! yikes!!
• 1 plum tomato, rinsed, seeded and finely diced
• cilantro, 1/4 cup chopped
• Makes about 2 cups
• Adapted from Annie’s Eats

Directions

1. In a medium size saute pan, combine the onion, oil, and jalapeno on low/medium heat until soft.
2. Add the cheeses and milk (or cream!) and stir until combined and all cheeses have thoroughly melted.
3. Add the tomatoes and cilantro and stir.
4. Garnish with freshly chopped tomatoes or cilantro. Serve with tortilla chips or as a dip for veggies.

Side note: the first time I had this magnificent concoction we were at a restaurant in Austin, TX. It was DELICIOUS. Yes, it’s a splurge, but one worth waiting for. If you need to gain weight or know someone who does, I suggest you make this dip.

#3 Recipe: Chunky Veggie Chili

Click here for the recipe for chunky veggie chili

#4 Recipe: Classic Guacamole

Ingredients

• Avocadoes – 4 avocadoes mashed (step by step on how to cut and peel and avocado by Simply Recipes)           
• Plum tomatoes – 2 rinsed, seeded and diced
• Garlic – 3 cloves minced
• Red onion – 1/4 cup diced
• Cilantro – 1/4 cup rinsed and chopped
• Lime juice – juice of 1 lime
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• Makes about 3 cups

Directions

• Scoop out avocado and place into a medium size mixing bowl. Mash avocado with back side of a spoon.
• Add remaining ingredients and stir until well combined.
• Serve with tortilla chips or as a topping for chili, black bean soup, burritos, quesadillas, tacos, etc.

#5 Recipe: Turkey Taco Salad

Ingredients

• Lettuce – 2 cups rinsed and chopped
• Tomatoes – 1 plum tomato rinsed, seeded and diced    
• Black olives – 2 tablespoons
• Cooked ground turkey seasoned with taco spices (cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, coriander, salt, pepper) – 3 oz
• Salsa – 1/4 cup
• Sliced avocado – 1/2 avocado sliced/diced
• Pepper jack cheese – 1/4 cup
• Tortilla chips crinkled and sprinkled on top
• Sour cream – 1 teaspoon (reduced fat)
• Serve with avocado/cilantro dressing – recipe from Guilty Kitchen

Directions

1. In a medium saute pan on low/medium heat, cook ground turkey with 1 tablespoon of olive oil or canola oil until browned and thoroughly cooked.
2. In a medium/large bowl add lettuce, tomatoes, olives, salsa, avocado, cheese, and cooked turkey meat.
3. Top with chips and avocado/cilantro dressing

#6 Recipe: Quinoa and Black Bean Lettuce Wraps

Click here for the recipe for quinoa and black bean lettuce wraps

Enjoy the weekend! Happy Birthday, Kevin! Go Pats!