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Costa Rican Rice and Beans

Dreaming of this Cost Rican breakfast from Sunday as I’m munching on my Quest bar. Costa Rican Rice and beans (from what I gathered as I watched the cook) 2 cups cooked black beans, plus 3/4 cup bean cooking liquid 3 cups cooked long-grain white rice 1 Tbsp vegetable oil 1/2 onion, diced 1 bell pepper, diced 1/2 cup diced celery 2 large cloves garlic, minced 1 tsp thyme S&P to taste Chopped cilantro for garnish Sauté onion, garlic, thyme, pepper, and celery in oil. Add beans, rice and liquid once cooked through. Continue cooking until incorporated. Serve with corn tortillas, eggs, avocado, and fried plantains.

Baked Fried Chicken

This “Fried Chicken” is finger lickin’ good and not bad for your waist line! My husband and I ate boneless skinless chicken breasts and the kids love the drumsticks and thighs or “chicken bones” as my 7 year old likes to call them. Marinate chicken (your favorite kind) in buttermilk and a dash of hot sauce for an hour. I add 2 eggs directly to the buttermilk mixture and mix it around to coat the chicken. Meanwhile in a large plastic bag add 1/2 corn flakes and 1/2 potato chips (I used reduced fat kettle chips). Crush until you achieve your desired consistency. Add seasoned salt and pepper to dry mix but remember your potato chips are salty too. Dredge chicken in cornflake mixture until coated on both sides. Lay on greased cookie sheet. Add a dash of cayenne on top of the chicken for those who like it hot. Drizzle a little EVOO on top of each piece of chicken which will help crisp the top. Bake at 400 degrees for ? Sorry, I didn’t time it. ~20-30 minutes…

Grilled Nutella and Banana sandwiches

I love things like #nationalnutelladay so I can make ooey gooey after school snacks like this! Think grilled cheese just fill with Nutella and bananas instead. Peanut Butter was pretty darn good too! My kids were in heaven!

Valentine Doughnut Holes

These Valentine Doughnut holes are my kids favorite activity this time of year. Use store bought powdered or glazed doughnut holes (glazed works better). Thin out a tub of store bought frosting with a Tablespoon or two of milk. You want it thinner but not too runny. Put sprinkles in different bowls. Dip each doughnut in frosting and let your kids roll them in their favorite sprinkles! Zurchers or party stores have the best Valentine sprinkles right now.

Filet Mignon Piadine

Store-bought pizza dough, I think Whole Foods has the best one. Slather with EVOO and put directly on the grill or Traeger. Romaine and Red leaf lettuce Traeger grilled green onions and asparagus cut up TJ frozen corn heated through tomatoes Grated Parmesan Grilled Filet – coat with EVOO and your favorite rub. I like seasoned salt and pepper. Let sit to room temperature then grill until medium rare. Let sit for 10 minutes and slice thinly. / I used my red wine vinaigrette dressing that’s in a previous post.

Valentine White Chocolate Popcorn

My personal favorite Valentine Treat. One bag microwave popcorn One bag white chocolate chips Conversation hearts Valentine Sprinkles After popcorn is popped, melt chocolate chips and pour over popcorn. Mix until incorporated then add hearts and sprinkles.

Curried Coconut Cauliflower

This Curried Cauliflower was a winner at our house. If you have leftovers throw it on some lettuce with chicken and you have dinner the next night. Spread on a cookie sheet: 8-10 cups of cauliflower (it reduces) 1 onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced Combine Sauce- (rough idea) 3/4 C EVOO 1/2 C red wine vinegar 1 tsp cumin 3 tsp curry powder 1 tsp paprika S&P Pour sauce over cauliflower and onions. Mix until combined. Bake for 15 minutes or so at 450 Add shredded coconut and bake for a few more minutes Add Cilantro for garnish.

Valentine Ice Cream Sandwiches

One more super simple Valentine treat that the kiddos loved making. Your favorite mini cookies (TJs has the best selection). Use a melon baller to scoop your favorite ice cream between each cookie. Smoosh and roll in sprinkles. Freeze before serving.

Road Trip Snacks

Road Trippin’ this V-day weekend. Healthy protein filled snacks for the caravan (of adults).

Smoked Ceviche

Back from a fun filled snowboarding trip and prepping for a dinner party for 12 tonight. This Traeger smoked ceviche has the perfect combination of smoke, citrus, and spice! INGREDIENTS 1 lb. Sea Scallops 1 lb. Shrimp Juice from: 1 lime, 1 lemon, and 1 orange Zest from 1 lime 1 tsp. Garlic Powder 1 tsp. Onion Powder 2 tsp. Salt ½ tsp Pepper 1 Avocado, diced ½ Red Onion, minced 1 Tbsp. Cilantro, chopped Pinch of Crushed Red Pepper 1 Tbsp. Canola Oil PREPARATION In a bowl combine the shrimp, scallops and canola oil. When ready to cook, start Traeger on 180 degrees. Arrange the shrimp and scallops on the grill and smoke them for 45 minutes. While they are smoking, prepare all the other ingredients, and place in a large mixing bowl. When the shrimp and scallops are finished smoking, turn the grill up to 325 degrees and cook an additional 5 minutes, to make sure they are fully cooked. Let scallops and shrimp cool, then cut in half width-wise, and combine them with the ingredients in the…