Turkey and Apple Panini

I am so excited to use the new meat and bread slicer that I got for Christmas, that I am making all kinds of sammies these days. This is great for lunch, dinner, or even breakfast.
Per person:
2 slices sourdough bread, cut to desired thickness
3 oz roasted turkey breast, sliced to desired thickness
1 slice apple wood cheddar
3-4 thin apple slices (use a mandolin so they are super-thin)
1/4 avocado mashed

Heat a panini press or George Foreman type indoor grill. Brush one side of one piece of bread lightly with olive oil and place on hot grill, oil side down. Layer in the following order: cheese, turkey, apple, and the remaining piece of bread with avocado spread on the inside, and olive oil lightly brushed on the outside. Close lid, and cook for about 2-3 minutes until bread is browned and crispy.

Breakfast Nachos

4 corn tortillas
4 TBSP refried beans
4 eggs, beaten
1/2 small onion
1/2 cup salsa
1 cup shredded cheddar
jalapeno rings
your favorite hot sauce

Place tortillas on a baking sheet in a 350 degree oven until browned and crispy, turning once to toast both sides.

Spread 1 TBSP of beans onto each tortilla. In a microwave safe bowl or skillet, scramble eggs with onion and season with salt and pepper. Add half of the cheese in the last minute so that it melts into the eggs.

Divide eggs among the tortillas and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Top with salsa and jalapeno rings, and hot sauce for the spice-lovers. Serve with fresh fruit and yogurt.

Makes 4 servings

Slow Cooker Pork Stew

This is a great meal to throw together and forget until dinner time, AND by adding potatoes to each portion, you can please even the picky eaters and waist watchers. In my house, either I am skipping potatoes, or wanting sweet potatoes over white so its a win-win.

1 lb pork loin,  cut into 1/2" cubes
1/2 packet onion soup mix
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp curry
1 large onion, chopped or sliced
3 carrots, peeled and thin sliced on an angle
3 celery stalks, thin sliced on an angle

Place above ingredients in a slow cooker and add enough water to cover. Cook on low 8-12 hours, depending on how hot your crock gets. Add :

1 14oz can diced tomatoes
1 8oz can tomato sauce or 2 TBSP tomato paste
2 cups of frozen mixed vegetables (like diced carrots, peas, green beans)
1 TBSP cornstarch dissolved in 2 TBSP cold water

Cook another hour on high until thickened. While thickening, bake potatoes of choice in the microwave or oven. Cut potatoes into 1" cubes and place in bowls before pouring stew over them.

Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

5 large bell peppers, tops/ribs/seeds removed
1 cup dry quinoa
1/2 lb ground turkey, chicken, pork or beef
small onion, sliced
2 cloves garlic
2 cups fresh spinach (or 1/2 cup frozen chopped)
1 tsp Italian seasoning
2 cups marinara or tomato sauce + 1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 cup shredded mozzarella

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Place peppers in a glass baking dish cut side down with 1/2" water in the bottom and steam in the microwave about 6 minutes until tender. Remove from pan and set upside on paper towels. Dry baking dish.

Cook quinoa to package directions. I use an electric rice cooker and it takes about 20 minutes.

In a saute pan brown meat (stirring only as needed to prevent burning), seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Add onion and garlic and cook a couple minutes until translucent. Add spinach and cook until wilted. Mix with cooked quinoa. Place peppers in baking dish cut side up and fill with the quinoa mixture.

Divide sauce equally over peppers and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and spoon juices back over/into peppers, and top with mozzarella. Bake another 15 or so minutes until cheese is bubbly.

Vanilla Green Tea Latte (Protein Shake)

8 oz unsweetened* vanilla almond milk
1 scoop (28g) unsweetened* protein powder, vanilla flavor
8 oz fresh brewed chilled green tea (or brew 1 bag in 1/4 cup boiling water for 5 minutes and add ice to cool)

Mix protein powder and almond milk well in a shaker container. Add green tea and ice to fill and shake well. Want it frozen? Throw it all in the blender and pulse until ice is finely chopped and all ingredients combined.

* I drink my drinks unsweetened (coffee, tea, etc) SO if you need a little something in yours, sweetened with honey, sugar, sweetener as you would your morning coffee or cup of tea.

Exact stats will vary based on the product brands used. With Almond Breeze, Sprouts Non-GMO Soy Protein Powder, and Tazo Green Tea- my shake has:

150 calories
2g carbs
5g fat
25g protein
1g fiber
430mg sodium

Need a great little leak-proof shaker to make and take your drink? Check out the Quick Shake and contact me to place an order!