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Brussel Sprouts with Pistachios and Lemon

This is one of my favorite Brussels Sprout recipes and I only wish I had pistachios instead of Marcona almonds last night. Quarter Brussels sprouts and toss in Evoo, garlic, and S&P. Lay out on a cookie sheet and roast for 10-15 min on 450. Add lemon juice (1 whole lemon) and almonds or pistachios and broil for another couple of minutes. Take out of oven and add lemon zest and more S&P if needed. I like to serve this as a side dish or on brown rice with grilled chicken and a little extra evoo and lemon juice on top.

Garlic Fries

These awesome garlic fries were the perfect compliment to our Burgers last night. Buy your favorite frozen fries in your grocers freezer. I used Alexia Organic Yukon gold. Bake as directed and then broil the last 1-2 minutes. Mix EVOO, minced garlic, and parsley in a bowl. After the fries are baked, add to bowl and mix around adding kosher salt once mixed. These reminded me of the Garlic Fries at Pac Bell park but fresher and healthier!

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.

Cottage cheese, tomato, and avocado salad

After one too many handfuls of Peanut M&Ms this weekend, today’s lunch was just what I needed to reboot. Cottage Cheese (Costco 2% is the best by far) Sliced tomato, avocado, and cucumber Sprinkled with lemon zest, a dash of lemon juice, and Tajin (YUM)

Grilled Grape Salad with Orzo and Goat Cheese

I’m not a huge fan of leftovers, so if I use them I recreate a new meal with leftover ingredients. Today lunch: Leftover grilled grapes (and the leftover marinade) from my last post mixed with- Spinach or Kale Rotisserie chicken Farro Orzo Goat cheese Marcona almonds EVOO Dash of balsamic glaze.

Grilled Corn & Black Bean Salad

Clean eating at its yummiest! I am obsessed with this salad. It’s citrusy, a tad spicy, and has a great blend of textures. Double the recipe and use it the next day in numerous ways (over eggs, with brown rice, over a chicken breast, Nacho topping, the possibilities are endless!). 1 can Black beans, drained 3-4 corn on the cobs, grilled 1 bunch asparagus, grilled Green onion, grilled then thinly sliced Radishes, thinly sliced Avocado, sliced Feta or Cojita cheese Chili-lime vinaigrette 1 part freshly squeezed lime juice 1 part EVOO or Grape Seed Oil Dash or two of chili powder Handful of cilantro, chopped s&p to taste Heat beans and add chopped asparagus, corn, radishes, green onion, and feta. Top with avocado slices and drizzle dressing on top.

Skinny Potato Skins & Slaw

A less guilty way of eating Potato Skins! Yukon gold potatoes, covered in EVOO and kosher salt. Bake or Traeger at 350° for one hour. Let cool, cut in half and scoop out center. Rotisserie chicken or chicken beasts, shredded and mixed with Buffalo wing sauce or TJ’s BBQ Sriracha sauce. (For the kids I mixed in normal barbecue sauce). . Slaw- Broccoli slaw TJ’s mirapoix mix poppyseed vinaigrette dressing (or your favorite sweet salad dressing) 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard Top with blue cheese crumbles and extra sauce!

Corn Cake

This meal has my name written all over it. I was going to share my party drink recipes but that will have to wait until tomorrow. Corn cake: 1 C corn meal 1/2 C flour 3/4 tsp baking soda 1 tsp salt 1 tsp pepper 1 tsp sugar 1 1/2 – 2 C milk 1 egg, beaten 1/4 C honey Green onion, sliced 1 1/2 C Frozen corn, thawed 1 C shredded cheese Jalapeño, diced Mix well and cook like a pancake. Top with leftover pulled pork or any meat (beef or chicken would be great). Top with fried or soft boiled egg. *For an amazing sweet corn cake, mix 2 parts mascarpone cheese to 1 part honey and smear (a lot) on corn cakes. OH MY GOSH!!

Peach and Mozzarella Stacks

I wish you were all able to come over for lunch right now with this peach salad, grilled chicken, and a cold Diet Coke! Sprinkle lime juice and honey on sliced peaches. Grill peaches until they have grill marks. (You don’t have to grill the peaches, fresh peaches or nectarines would be great too). Lay Arugula on platter and mix with dressing. Layer mozzarella slices and peaches and place on top of arugula. Drizzle dressing and EVOO on top of stacks. Dressing In a blender (until combined): 5 peaches One bunch green onions, sliced 1 C chopped fresh cilantro 1/3 C honey 1 tsp salt Zest of one lime 2 limes juiced 3/4 tsp cumin 3/4 tsp chili powder 1 C EVOO