Category Archives: Main Dishes

Zucchini Fritters

The local produce stands are open for the summer! Nothing tastes better than fresh local produce. It is also awesome to support your local farmers.

Everything looks so delicious it’s hard to choose so I usually end up with a bunch of veggies and zucchini is one of them. I never have too many zucchini recipes. So when I saw this recipe on Closet Cooking I knew this would be perfect. Thanks Kevin!

Zucchini Fritters

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Cioppino (Seafood Stew)

For Father’s Day I made my husband his favorite dish, Cioppino. Cioppino is a seafood stew originating in San Francisco.

It’s an Italian-American dish and is typically made with the catch of the day. Or in my case whatever is on special and looks good! I decided on mussels, calamari, cod, shrimp, and crab.

Cioppino

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Grilled Vegetable Pizza

I have always wanted to make pizza on the grill. I have to admit I was a little nervous to throw the dough right onto the grill. I kept envisioning the dough falling down through the grates and making a huge mess. Thankfully that didn’t happen! Whew!

Now I am wondering why I didn’t try this sooner. It was so easy and oh so yummy!

grilled vegetable pizza

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Mexican Egg and Quinoa Muffins

Keeping with the Cinco de Mayo theme… I give you Mexican Egg and Quinoa Muffins!

Mexican Egg Quinoa Muffins

I just love to make all kinds of things in my muffin pan. These muffins are so darn good I just had to share. Not only are they super easy to make, they’re good for you too.

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Healthy Broccoli Slaw Fish Tacos

By popular request, healthy fish tacos! Last Friday I posted a question on Facebook asking what people liked to eat or drink to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

Well, I got lots of feedback! Yesterday I posted a guacamole recipe, the number one favorite. Guacamole would make an awesome topping to these delicious fish tacos!

Broccoli Slaw Fish Taco

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Spinach & Artichoke Grilled Cheese

In honor of National Grilled Cheese month I made this awesome sandwich for lunch.

spinach artichoke grilled cheese

This was the first sandwich I had posted on my facebook page and I just realized it was not on my blog. How could I have kept this sandwich hidden? It’s just too darn yummy!  The cheese melts perfectly into the spinach and artichokes which makes it so juicy and delicious.

spinach artichoke grilled cheese

did-you-knowDid you know spinach can help fight wrinkles?  It’s high amount of vitamin A promotes healthy skin by allowing for proper moisture retention in the epidermis.  This helps to fight wrinkles, psoriasis and more.  Click here for more healthy benefits from eating spinach.

spinach artichoke grilled cheese

Ingredients

  • 1 clove of garlic, minced
  • 3-4 cups of fresh baby spinach leaves
  • 4 artichoke hearts, diced
  • 2 tablespoons of greek yogurt
  • slices of cheese of your choice, I like swiss (or no cheese if you don’t eat dairy)
  • 4 slices of whole grain bread
  • 1 tablespoon of coconut oil (or oil of your choice)

Directions

  1. Saute garlic for 1 minute in a hot skillet with a little oil.  
  2. Add spinach and stir until wilted. About 4 minutes and the add artichokes and stir until heated through.
  3. Remove from heat and drain any liquid from the pan.  Mix in greek yogurt.
  4. Heat a clean skillet (I like cast iron) on medium  low heat.
  5. Spread coconut oil on one side of each slice of bread. Place the bread, oiled side down, on heated skillet and add cheese and spinach mixture. Place remaining slice of bread on top (oiled side up) and cooked for about 3-5 minutes on each side, or until the bread is nice and brown.

Enjoy!

Grilled Cilantro Chicken Kabobs

My husband and I love to entertain, especially in the summer. Making kabobs is one my favorite things to make for guests. They are easy, look pretty, and you can please just about any type of eater. And let’s face it, who doesn’t like eating food from a stick!

chicken kabobs

Kabobs also make a quick and easy week night dinner and paired with this marinade you can’t go wrong. This marinade would also taste great with beef, pork, shrimp, fish, or veggies.

chicken kabobs

tips&tricksWhen getting ready to juice a lime put it in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds. The heat helps the citrus juice flow out of the lime much easier.

chicken kabobs

Ingredients

  • 1 pound chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
  • 1 cup of fresh cilantro leaves
  • 1 jalapeño pepper (optional)
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 1/2 teaspoon lime zest
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • dash of rice wine vinegar, or any white vinegar

Directions

  1. Prepare grill over high heat.  
  2. Place cut up chicken pieces in a medium sized bowl and set to the side.
  3. In a blender or food processor add cilantro, jalapeno, lime, lime zest, oil, and vinegar and puree until nicely blended.
  4. Pour marinade over chicken and marinade for at least 20 minutes. The longer it marinade the better it tastes.  
  5. Place marinaded chicken on skewers and grill for about 5-8 minutes on each side, or until no longer pink.  Remember to soak wooden skewers before adding the chicken, so they don’t catch on fire!

Enjoy!

Quinoa Black Bean Quesadillas

I totally made this recipe by accident and I’m so glad I did! I was originally planning on making tacos with this recipe but I couldn’t get the tortillas to cooperate for the photos. Hmmm, what to do? Then it struck me… Quesadillas!

quinoa black bean quesadilla

It was Sunday afternoon and we had a day full of projects, so this made the perfect quick and healthy lunch. My 5 year old loved them and ended up eating more of these than I did.

quinoa black bean quesadilla

tips&tricks

Super busy during the week? Make the quinoa mixture ahead of time and then assemble the quesadillas for a quick week night dinner. The mixture also works with tacos or a burrito if you prefer.

quinoa black bean quesadilla

Ingredients

  • ½ cup quinoa, cooked
  • ¼ cup onion, diced
  • ½ jalapeno pepper, diced or more for added heat
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • ½  teaspoon chili powder Package of whole wheat flour tortillas
  • Fresh cilantro, Greek yogurt, sliced avocado, salsa, shredded cheese, or any of your favorite toppings!

Directions

  1. Cook quinoa according to package directions.  
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet. Sauté onion and jalapeno pepper for 3 minutes.  
  3. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute.  Add cooked quinoa, black beans, diced tomatoes, and chili powder to the sautéed veggies. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Set aside  
  4. Heat ½ tablespoon of oil in another skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium high heat.  
  5. Place tortilla in the skillet and spread about a ¼ cup of the quinoa mixture over the tortilla. Sprinkle with cheese, optional, and top with another tortilla.   Cook for about 5 minutes, or until brown, and flip.
  6. Cook for a few more minutes, until that side is brown.  
  7. Cut into pieces and serve with your favorite quesadilla toppings. 

Enjoy!