Parmesan...MEAT or MEATLESS

If you are looking for a satisfying meal that does not take long to cook but warms the house on a chilly evening, then PARMESAN of your choice is the way to go. This meal can be made with meat or meatless…customize it to fit your family’s needs.

Ingredients:

·      For the BASE you want a chicken breast, turkey tenderloin, eggplant, large zucchini or crookneck squash, or Portobello mushroom. I prefer organic when I can obtain them. If using meat, look for boneless and skinless for this recipe.

·      Coating: Gluten Free (I prefer Ian’s) Panko Breadcrumbs

·      Sauce: Pasta sauce of your choice, parmesan (and or mozzarella or an Italian blend) cheese, and garlic 

Instructions:

·      If using a vegetable, pre-slice into 1/2 inch thick wedges.

·      Dice 4-8  cloves of garlic (depending on size)

·      Add a cup of Gluten Free (Ian’s) Panko Breadcrumbs to a bag (I often reuse produce bags from the store to cut down on my environmental waste) and place a piece of meat or 1 cut vegetable into the bag. Slice and pat to coat. (Continue till all is coated…do not overload bag…be careful when coating so the vegetables do not break down)

·      Add coated meat/vegetables to a pan with olive oil (just enough to avoid anything sticking to the pan) and sauté on both sides for 2-5 minutes depending on thickness.

·      Transfer to a foil lined baking sheet.

·      Preheat oven to 350.

·      While oven is warming add sauce and garlic to the pan. 1-2 cups of sauce will cover 2 pieces of meat or vegetables (cut).

·      After the sauce is warmed, cover the prepared meat or vegetables.

·      Sprinkle cheese on top

·      Bake for 20 minutes if vegetables and 30 minutes if meat.

Pictured: Turkey Parmesan

Holiday Bars

I wanted to find a way to add a spark to my granola bars for the holidays. I was looking to add some red or green color and decided on maraschino cherries!

2 cups oats 

3/4 cup flax seed meal or ground flaxseed

1/2 cup almond flour   

3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

1 cup diced maraschino cherries

½ cup diced slivered almonds

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla

3/4 cup honey

2 eggs

Instructions:

·      Preheat the oven to 350. Combine all dry ingredients then add the wet, one at a time.

·      Spray a 9x12 glass baking pan with olive or coconut oil spray.

·      Use the back of a spatula to flatten into the pan (you may with to spray the spatula so the granola does not stick).

·      Bake 15-20 minutes - until edges are golden.

·      Remove from oven. Let cool then cut into bars of your choice – or use cookie cutters and make festive shapes for children to enjoy!

Healthy Holiday Snacks

Knowing that the holiday season is hectic, I make a point to have healthy snacks (for me that means Gluten Free) around so that I provide myself with nutritious options when I am hungry and in a hurry. One thing I do that takes no cooking is keeping a small (snack size) Ziploc bag of walnuts and dried cherries (w/o sulfur) or almonds and raisins or dried apricots in my car, purse, and gym bag. This provides me with quick fuel and tides me by until I get home to have a proper meal.

A simple snack to cook and have on hand for the holiday hunger pangs (or anytime for that matter) is my Simple As 1-2-3 Oatmeal Bars (which I originally posted January 16, 2015). Since I posted the recipe I shared samples with others, as people asked what was in the bar I found myself replying, “It’s as simple as 1-2-3. One cup of apple (or other fruit) sauce, 2 cups of dry oats, and 3 ripe bananas is the base of this recipe. Anything else you add is up to you.” Now people refer to this recipe as the “1-2-3 Recipe”.

 

The Simple as 1-2-3 Oatmeal Bars can be made large like a scone and eaten for breakfast or they can be made snack size. They are easily digestible so are great for fuel pre or post workout. From start to finish the recipe will take 30 minutes of your time. A fast, healthy, portable, and versatile snack is important when you are not a time millionaire.

I hope you enjoy this quick to prepare healthy snack. You can add a 4-5-6 to the recipe by adding a few extra ingredients and customizing the recipe each time you make it!

During the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, spend a few minutes preparing and you can have healthy snacks all week….it’s as simple as 1-2-3! Grab a bar, and perhaps a handful of nuts and a piece of fruit and you are ready to go. 

Enjoy the holiday season. Eat healthy without spending much time in the kitchen. Spend the extra time with family and friends!

Enjoy this recipe and find others featuring Nuts at nuts.com and their Healthy Snacks Page. 

 

Base Recipe:

·      1 Cup of Apple Sauce (I make homemade … with and w/o cinnamon. This recipe works well with cinnamon or plain applesauce. I have also made pear and guava sauce and both work well in this recipe)

·      2 Cups of Dry Oats

·      3 Ripe Bananas

VARIATIONS…Optional 4-5-6 Ingredients

·      1 TSP Vanilla Flavoring, 1 Cup Diced Dried Fruit, 4 TBSP Nut Butter (any variety)

·      1 Scoop Protein Powder, 1/4 Cup Diced Walnuts, 1/3 Cup Nutella (NOTE: I use GLUTEN FREE protein powder. You can buy it plain or flavored.)

·      1/2 Cup Flaxseed Meal, 1/4 Cup Diced Nuts, 1/4 Cup Diced Dried Fruit

·      1/4 Cup Slivered Almonds, 1/4 Cup Diced Apricots, 1/4 Cup Shredded Unsweetened Coconut