Weekend wonders

I've been bad at posting. The issue with my cooking style is that I make a lot of stuff up! I often fail at measuring and marking my changes to recipes. The result is delicious food with no record of how to replicate it.
I spent this weekend doing some cooking and food prep and it paid off!

Turkey and Spinach Quinoa Casserole

Your shopping list:

2 cups cooked quinoa 

1 lb extra lean ground turkey

half medium onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

4 mushrooms, chopped

half green pepper, diced

5 handfuls of spinach, chopped if you want

2 cups tomato sauce (I use homemade)

1 cup of panko breadcrumbs

1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

1/8 tsp thyme

1 tsp basil

1/2 tsp chili flakes (omit if sensitive to spice)

Salt & pepper, to taste

A few sprays of olive oil

What to do with it:

1. Pre-heat oven to 375
2. Cook turkey over medium heat in large skillet
3. Once fully cooked, drain fat, remove turkey and add to a large bowl with cooked quinoa
4. Spray pan with oil and return to medium heat
5. Add garlic and onions and sautee until almost golden brown
6. Add vegetables to skillet and cook until spinach is wilted
7. Transfer veggies to bowl and add spices, panko, tomato sauce and one cup of cheese
8. Mix well
9. Pour mix into baking dish sprayed with olive oil
10. Top with remaining cheese and bake for 25 minutes
11. Enjoy once cooked, or freeze individual portions for later!

Summer isn't over yet!

I can't believe that it's already September. It seems like yesterday was the beginning of May, a time when I had the whole summer at my fingertips. Now the weather is changing but my cooking style definitely isn't! Here's a great recipe that you should immediately prepare and throw on the grill! Why? Because frankly, it takes less than 30 minutes from prep to table, AND it is freaking delicious.

I first had this meal as leftovers on a visit to my dad's and was immediately addicted. Get grillin'.

Cajun Chicken Thighs

Adapted from Weber's Big Book of Grilling

prep time: 15 mins
cook time: 10 mins

Your shopping list:

Rub:

1 Tbsp brown sugar

1 Tbsp garlic powder

1 Tbsp onion powder

1 Tbsp paprika

2 tsp dried thyme

2 tsp dried oregano

2 tsp freshly ground pepper

2 tsp kosher salt

Meat:

16 (4 oz) boneless, skinless, chicken thighs

What to do with it:

1. Mix rub ingredients together in a small bowl
2. Rinse and dry chicken thighs
3. Coat thighs with dry rub
4. Spray thighs with olive oil
5. Grill over direct medium heat for about 8-10 minutes, or until juices run clear, turning once halfway through cooking time
6. Serve with roasted veggies and potatoes, or a side of your choice!

Detox time

After an amazing, yet tiring week's vacation in Puerto Plata, I'm ready for something that will help me get back on the health wagon. I took yesterday off and did groceries but didn't really plan out any meals for the week. I've decided that soup is on the menu tonight. I'm disappointed that I didn't remember to buy celery, but I'll have to do without. I generally make minestrone soup, but have no beans or regular potatoes. SO, what I've got here is a homemade vegetable soup, chock-full of deliciousness!

Veggie Soup for the "gotta make up for the terrible eating on vacation" Soul

Your shopping list:

1-2 Tbsp Olive oil
1 large onion, diced
4-5 garlic gloves
1 large sweet potato, cut into bite sized pieces
1 med zucchini, chopped
2 med carrots, chopped
1 head of broccoli, chopped
handful of green beans, cut into bite sized pieces
handful of spinach
1 large can diced tomatoes, no salt added
handful of mushrooms, sliced
turmeric, to taste
1 litre chicken broth
salt and pepper, to taste
oregano, to taste
basil, to taste

What to do with it:

1. in a large pot, heat olive oil
2. add onion, garlic and carrots to pot and  cook, stirring often for 5 mins
3. add green beans, zucchini to pot and stir well
4. mix in diced tomatoes, mushrooms and broccoli
5. pour broth into the pot and stir in seasonings
6. simmer for 20-30 mins (or until veggies are cooked enough for you)
7. Enjoy :)

Fries that don't end up on your thighs

I love potatoes. I would eat them all every day if my diet would allow it. Unfortunately, they're not the healthiest side dish. Thankfully, I also love sweet potatoes! This is a recipe that my momma made for us pretty often back in the day and was the only way I enjoyed them until recently. It's a great way to spice up a meal and takes pretty much no time at all to make! I love the combination of sweet and spicy it creates.

"Spicy Yam Oven Fries"

inspired by my wonderful mom!

Your shopping list:

1 1/2 - 2 yams or sweet potatoes
2 Tbsp soy sauce (or use tamari like my mom does. It's the best option if you're gluten intolerant because there's less wheat)
1 1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp mustard powder
1/4 tsp garlic podwer
1 Tbsp olive oil

What to do with it:

1. Preheat oven to 400 F
2. Cut the yams/sweet potatoes into thirds, then slice like fries and place in a medium sized bowl
3. Whisk together the sauce ingredients in a small bowl, and then pour over the fries
4. Arrange the fries on a baking sheet, and bake for approx 10 minutes.
5. Enjoy!