Meal #1
Side
Savory Sweet Potato Muffins
https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/savory-sweet-potato-muffins/
Ingredients
2 cups (240g) whole-wheat pastry flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 cup (200g) mashed sweet potato
2 large egg whites, lightly beaten
1/4 cup (60ml) olive oil
1/4 cup (60ml) maple syrup
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Line nine cups of a muffin tin with muffin papers. In a large bowl, combine the pastry flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and thyme; whisk to mix well.
In a medium bowl, combine the sweet potato puree, egg whites, olive oil and maple syrup and whisk until smooth.
Stir the sweet potato mixture into the flour mixture until just combined.
Use heaping 1/4-cup scoops of batter to portion into the cups, dividing any extra between them. Smooth the tops if needed.
Bake for 20–25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out with no wet batter clinging to it.
Cool on racks, when cooled, store tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Serves: 9 | Serving Size: 1 muffin
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 206; Total Fat: 7g; Saturated Fat: 1g; Monounsaturated Fat: 4g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 196mg; Carbohydrate: 31g; Dietary Fiber: 4g; Sugar: 8g; Protein: 5g
Side
BROCCOLI APPLE GRAPEFRUIT SALAD
https://justindulgence.wordpress.com/2012/06/15/broccoli-apple-grapefruit-salad-with-lemon-mustard-dill-dressing/
I wanted a super light and juicy salad to accompany the dense savory crispy garlic mint pressed tofu I made for dinner tonight. This salad worked great, beautifully contrasting the garlic and mint flavor with one of dill and mustard.
INGREDIENTS
3 cups broccoli, bite-size pieces
1 apple, chopped
1 grapefruit, peeled and chopped
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp grainy dijon mustard
1/2 lemon, juiced
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 tbsp fresh chopped dill
DIRECTIONS
Microwave broccoli on high for 3 minutes. Chill in refrigerator for at least half an hour.
Combine olive oil, mustard, lemon juice, garlic and dill. Mix well.
Toss broccoli, apple and grapefruit in dressing.
Serve and enjoy!
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
Makes 2 large servings.
Per serving: 202 calories, 30 g carbs, 10 g fat, 5 g protein, 7 g fiber
****In case you have any mint leftover from last week and want to try the
Crispy Garlic Mint tofu:
This was my first time pressing tofu, and wow, am I glad I did! It’s a keeper and has a solid place in my repertoire for when vegetarian friends come for dinner. I know some people aren’t a big fan of tofu’s spongy wet texture, so this is a great way to get away from that while still being able to enjoy the benefits of this inexpensive and lean source of protein. I’d almost describe the pressed tofu as having a chicken texture, in fact it quite looks like a thin strip of chicken when you cut into it.
INGREDIENTS
1 package firm tofu
2 garlic cloves, pressed
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 lemon, zested
1/2 lemon, juiced
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper or 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/4 cup packed chopped fresh mint
DIRECTIONS
Cut tofu crosswise into 4 slabs. Firmly blot each slab between paper towel to remove excess water.
To make marinade, combine all remaining ingredients and mix well.
Cover tofu on all sides with marinade and place on a plate. Cover with plastic and let sit for at least 30 minutes at room temperature or overnight in the fridge.
Heat large frying pan on medium-high heat.
Remove tofu from marinade and press off excess liquid with paper towels. Reserve marinade.
Arrange tofu flat in frying pan. Cover tofu with another frying pan, weighing upper pan down with a full kettle or large can of tomato sauce or beans.
Cook for 5 minutes, reduce heat to medium and cook for another 5 until well browned.
Flip tofu, press and cook until browned, about 7 minutes.
Place tofu on serving dish. Pour remaining marinade into pan, heat briefly and use it to garnish tofu.
Serve over rice, quinoa or another grain and enjoy!
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
Makes 2 servings.
Per serving: 330 calories, 6 g carbs (1 g sugar), 26 g fat (4 g saturated), 22 g protein, 1 g fiber
Main Dish
GRILLED MUSHROOM CHEESESTEAKS
https://teaspoonofspice.com/grilled-mushroom-cheesesteaks-and-recap-of-mushroom-tour-trip/
Grilled mushrooms and grilled onions with a light cheese sauce makes for the ultimate veggie cheesesteak.
Yield: 4 servings.
ingredients
For the mushrooms:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, sliced thinly
20 ounces baby bella or white button mushrooms, sliced
1 tablespoon reduced sodium soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the “cheese whiz” sauce:
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
2/3 cup low-fat milk (warmed for 1 minute in microwave)
4 ounces Cabot Extra Sharp Cheddar
4 (6-inch) whole-wheat rolls
instructions
In a grill pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add mushrooms and grill for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add soy sauce and black pepper, stir and grill for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from pan.
Place rolls, cut side down on pan and grill for a few minutes until toasted.
While mushrooms are grilling, make cheese sauce by placing a small sauce pan over medium heat. Add butter and once melted, whisk in flour.
Slowly pour in warm milk, whisking constantly. Whisk frequently until sauce thickens (about 2 – 3 minutes.)
Slowly whisk in cheese and whisk until melted. Remove from stove.
To assemble sandwiches, divide mushrooms evenly among 4 rolls. Pour cheese sauce over mushrooms and serve immediately.
Dessert
SWEET POTATO PEANUT BUTTER SWIRL BROWNIES
https://www.thehealthymaven.com/sweet-potato-peanut-butter-swirl-brownies
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 12 brownies
INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder or raw cacao
1/2 cup brown rice flour (any flour will work)
1 tsp baking powder
pinch sea salt
150 grams of good quality dark chocolate or chocolate chips (about ¾ cup)
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted (plus more for greasing)
1 cup mashed sweet potato*
3 large eggs, room temperature
For swirl:
1/4 cup peanut butter
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Grease and 8 x 8 baking pan with coconut oil.
In a large bowl combine cocoa powder, brown rice flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside
Melt chocolate in a double-boiler or in microwave.
Stir in coconut oil until fully melted.
Add chocolate mix and sweet potato to dry ingredients and stir until well-combined.
Add in eggs and mix well.
Add batter to pan and spread smooth.
For Swirl:
Add 9 dollops of peanut butter to batter. Using a knife, cut through peanut butter and zig zag your way across the pan until peanut butter has been incorporated into batter.
Bake for 25 mins or until a toothpick comes out clean after being poked in the center.
Let cool for at least 20 mins before cutting into 12 brownies and then remove and allow to cool completely on a wire rack.
Will keep for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
*To make my mashed sweet potato I peel and chop 1 large or 2 medium sweet potatoes, before adding to boiling water and cooking on high for 12 mins. Strain and mash by hands or in a blender.
Meal #2
Side
Rutabaga-Sweet Potato Mash with Garlic and Sage
https://www.marthastewart.com/1534334/rutabaga-sweet-potato-mash-garlic-and-sage
Ever-popular sweet potatoes team up with an underrated root vegetable in this silky mash: peppery rutabaga. Garlic and sage cooked in butter, plus a generous dose of cream, make the side dish sing.
Prep:
30 mins
Total:1 hr
Yield:
Serves 8 to 10
Top of Form
Bottom of Form
Ingredients
2 pounds rutabaga, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons minced garlic (from 5 to 6 cloves)
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh sage leaves
1/2 cup heavy cream
• • •
Directions
Step 1
In a pot, combine rutabaga and sweet potatoes; cover with water by a few inches and season generously with salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and cook until easily pierced with the tip of a knife, about 15 minutes. Drain.
Step 2
Return pot to medium heat; add butter. When it melts, add garlic and sage; cook 1 minute. Add cream; bring to a simmer, then remove from heat. Return rutabaga and sweet potatoes to pot; mash to desired consistency and season with salt and pepper. Serve.
Side
Healing Cream of Greens Soup
https://www.today.com/recipes/healing-cream-greens-soup-t124487
SERVINGS:4-6
Swap options: I love the super-subtle coconutty notes from the unrefined coconut oil, but if you don't have any you could use olive oil instead. To add even more nourishing ingredients, try ginger or cayenne to kick up the heat and clear your sinuses. Stir in some cooked quinoa for a heartier meal.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons unrefined coconut oil, divided
1 onion, diced
1 sweet apple (such as Gala, Honeycrisp or Braeburn), diced
4 cloves garlic
2 teaspoons sea salt, divided
5 cups (1 pound) broccoli florets
3 cups (5 ounces) baby spinach
4 cups gluten-free vegetable broth
Freshly ground black pepper
Preparation
1. In a large saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of the coconut oil over medium-high heat. When it shimmers, add the onion, apple, garlic and 1 teaspoon of the salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 7 minutes, until the vegetables have softened.
2. Add the broccoli, spinach, broth and remaining teaspoon of the salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 10 minutes, until the broccoli is tender and the spinach has wilted.
3. Remove the pot from the heat and purée directly in the pot using an immersion blender, or, working in batches, transfer the mixture to a blender and purée until smooth (be careful when blending hot liquids); return the soup to the pot. Stir in the remaining tablespoon of oil.
4. Serve in bowls topped with some pepper.
Main Dish
YIELD: 2 - 4 SERVINGS
PAPPARDELLE PASTA WITH ROSEMARY PORTOBELLO MUSHROOM SAUCE
https://familystylefood.com/pappardelle-pasta-rosemary-portobello-sauce/
Bottom of Form
Enjoy this hearty, autumnal pappardelle pasta with fresh rosemary and portobello mushrooms in warm bowls, with a glass of red wine on the side 🙂
PREP TIME15 minutes
COOK TIME15 minutes
TOTAL TIME30 minutes
INGREDIENTS
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 shallots, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
Kosher salt
3 portobello mushroom caps (10 -12 ounces), sliced into 1-inch pieces
8 ounces pappardelle pasta, fresh or dried
1 garlic clove, finely sliced
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves
1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
A hunk of Parmigiano Reggiano or parmesan cheese
INSTRUCTIONS
Put the oil, shallots and a pinch of salt in a large skillet and place over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until the shallots are softened, but not browned.
Add the mushrooms to the pan. Cook the mushrooms for a few minutes until they take on some color, then stir and add 1/2 teaspoon salt. Continue cooking until the mushrooms become tender and their liquid evaporates.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 2 tablespoons kosher salt. Cook the pasta until al dente. Scoop out and reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta.
Add the garlic, rosemary, chili, tomato paste, vinegar and butter to the mushrooms. Add 1/3 cup of the pasta water and stir over medium heat until the mixture becomes saucy. Add the pasta to the pan and toss gently with tongs to coat with the sauce, adding more water if it seems too dry. Taste for seasoning.
Shave curls of Parmigiano cheese over the pasta with a vegetable peeler and serve.
Dessert
RUBY RED GRAPEFRUIT BARS
https://www.dessertnowdinnerlater.com/ruby-red-grapefruit-bars/
Top of Form
INGREDIENTS
Crust:
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup flour
Filling:
2 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp baking powder
2 Tbsp flour
2 tsp grapefruit zest
1/2 cup grapefruit juice (approximately 1/2 a grapefruit; add up to 1/4 cup more juice for a more tart taste)
Pink food coloring
INSTRUCTIONS
CRUST: Preheat oven to 350*F. In a stand mixer combine ingredients until crumbly. Press on the bottom of a 9x9 baking dish. Bake 15 minutes or until starting to brown lightly.
FILLING: Prepare filling when crust is just about done: Using the whisk attachment of your stand mixer, whisk the eggs, sugar, baking powder, & flour until light & fluffy. Then add grapefruit juice with zest, & about 3 drops of pink food coloring (or more till desired color) until combined.
Pour filling over hot crust & bake an additional 20 minutes or until edges are golden. Let cool in the refrigerator. Cut squares, dust tops with powdered sugar & serve. Amazing when eaten cold from the fridge.
Meal #3
Side
Creamy Rutabaga and Parsnip Soup
https://www.thespruceeats.com/creamy-rutabaga-parsnip-soup-4129337
Total:42 mins
Prep:7 mins
Cook:35 mins
Yield:Serves 4
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
297
Calories
17g
Fat
31g
Carbs
7g
Protein
Ingredients
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
½ cup onion (chopped)
2 large rutabagas (peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks)
1 parsnip (peeled and sliced)
5 cups less-sodium vegetable broth
2 teaspoons fresh sage leaves (chopped)
1 tablespoon honey
½ cup heavy cream
Garnish: sliced scallions
Steps to Make It
In a large pot melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onions and sauté for about 4 minutes, until tender. Add the rutabagas and parsnips and stir, then pour in the broth, raise the heat to high and bring to a simmer. Lower the heat to medium and simmer, covered, for about 25 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
Use an immersion blender to puree the vegetables right in the pot, or carefully transfer the vegetables and some of the liquid in batches to a food processor or blender and puree with the sage leaves and honey until smooth. Return to the pot, add the cream and heat over medium-high heat for another minute until the whole thing is heated through. Serve hot in bowls with the scallions sprinkled on top.
Use Caution When Blending Hot Ingredients
Steam expands quickly in a blender, and can cause ingredients to splatter everywhere or cause burns. To prevent this, fill the blender only one-third of the way up, vent the top, and cover with a folded kitchen towel while blending.
Side
GRAPEFRUIT CITRUS SALAD
https://livelytable.com/grapefruit-citrus-salad/
This refreshing grapefruit citrus salad made with granny smith apples and mint is the perfect healthy summer fruit salad! (gluten-free, vegan, no added sugar)
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 4 cups
INGREDIENTS
1 large grapefruit
1 granny smith apple
2 small oranges
6–10 mint leaves
Honey (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
Remove peels from grapefruit and oranges. I like to cut them off to remove all of the bitter white parts. Cut into thin segments.
Thinly slice granny smith apples into 1/4 in slices.
Cut mint leaves into thin ribbons.
In a medium bowl, mix fruit and mint and gently stir to combine. Drizzle lightly with honey (optional).
Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Main Course
Rutabaga Baked Ziti Recipe
https://theculinarycure.com/rutabaga-baked-ziti/
This ingenious recipe substitutes rutabaga for pasta and tastes so good even your Nonna would approve.
Course Entree, healthy snacks, Vegetables
Keyword kale, marinara sauce, mozzerella, parmesan, rutabaga, spinach, tomato sauce, ziti
Servings 4
Ingredients
1 medium rutabaga peeled and cut into 2” ziti size sticks
1 tbs olive oil
1 24 oz jar favorite marinara sauce I love Rao’s
1 5 oz bag baby power greens spinach or kale
1 cup sautéed mushrooms-optional
1/2 cup whole milk ricotta
3/4 cup shredded whole milk mozzarella
1/2 cup shredded parmesan
2 eggs
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried red pepper flakes
1 tsp salt
Freshly cracked pepper
Instructions
Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. Oil a medium size baking dish.
Peel and slice rutabaga into 2”ziti size pieces. Place in saute pan with 1” water and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Alternatively, in batches, place rutabaga in Leuke steamer and cook in microwave on high heat 2-3 minutes or until softened. In saute pan or bowl combine the rutabaga with 12 oz of the marinara sauce.
Saute or Leuke steam the greens in batches until wilted. Set aside.
Beat eggs and mix with 1/2 cup ricotta, 1/2 cup parmesan, 1/2 cup mozzarella, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Combine with wilted greens and mushrooms (optional).
Loosely mix the rutabaga marinara combination with the cheese and greens mixture and place in prepared baking dish. Top with remaining mozzarella cheese.
Bake in the middle of the oven for 30 plus minutes, until bubbly and slightly browned.
Dessert
GRAPEFRUIT YOGURT CAKE
https://www.theleangreenbean.com/grapefruit-yogurt-cake/
A light, fresh loaf cake that’s perfect for snacktime and also fancy enough for dessert!