Roasted Sweet Potato Salad

With grilling season upon us, here is a great salad that can stand solo as a meal or serve as a fantastic accompaniment to your favorite grilled protein. I'm envisioning bbq chicken , bratwurst or a juicy hamburger. Planning your Memorial Day menu? You won't regret serving this bright, fresh and flavor packed salad. If you need that extra kick, add a diced jalapeno or two to suite your taste.

Serves 6 as a side salad

Roasted Sweet Potato Salad

3 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into bit-sized pieces

2 tablespoons olive oil

Salt 

Pepper

1/2 cup onion, diced

1 cup shredded cheese (combination of mozzarella and cheddar) 

3 ears of corn, husks and silk removed

3 roma tomatoes, diced

1 sweet red pepper, diced

1 can of black beans, rinsed and drained

1 lime, juiced and zested

1/2 teaspoon Mccormick's Moroccan Seasoning **

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Large handful of fresh cilantro, chopped

**Note: The Moroccan seasoning is a blend of cinnamon, cumin, black and red peppers and turmeric. 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spread prepared sweet potatoes in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with a couple dashes of salt and pepper. Roast for 10 minutes, than flip the potatoes and add the diced onion. Continue roasting until potatoes are fork tender. When potatoes are done, increase temperature to 400 degrees and sprinkle cheese over the potatoes and onions. Roast for approximately 5-7 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.  Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil, add corn and cook for 5 minutes. Slice corn off of the ears. In a large serving bowl, combine the corn, tomatoes, red pepper, black beans, lime juice, lime zest, Moroccan seasoning, garlic powder and cilantro. Fold in the warm potato mixture and serve. 

Strawberry Almond Chia Seed Pudding

In my quest to eat healthy with less refined sugar, I've recently discovered chia seed pudding. Chia seeds are high in fiber, protein and healthy omega-3 fats, to name a few. Take a look at this interesting article by the Huffington Post if you're not super familiar with these tiny super-food seeds. Chia seed pudding can be made with any type of milk. Personally, I've tried it with regular 2% dairy milk and homemade almond milk. The almond milk received the winning votes from both me and the Hubs. The pudding has a similar texture to tapioca pearls but in my opinion the chia seeds are far tastier.

For a different twist try these various flavors and fruits

Mix-Ins- Blueberries, Raspberries, Mango, Pineapple or Blackberries,
Milk- Almond, Soy, Dairy or Coconut
Toppings- Fresh fruit, granola, minced mint leaves, dark chocolate, walnuts, or pecans

Strawberry Almond Chia Seed Pudding

Yield- 1 Serving

1 tablespoon chia seeds
1/4 cup almond milk
1/2 teaspoon honey
1/8 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup diced strawberries (plus 1/4 cup to garnish at end)

Combine chia seeds, milk, honey and vanilla in a small cup or 1/2 pint Mason jar. Mix thoroughly and stir in the diced strawberries. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight. Serve with additional strawberries on top of pudding.

Stir in the strawberries

Ready to set in the fridge

Whole Wheat Parmesan Herb Bread

Melted butter, fresh parsley, minced garlic and shaved Parmesan cheese complete this savory whole wheat loaf. Using my favorite Whole Wheat Bread Recipe as the base this herb bread variation is divine! This bread is the perfect vehicle for your next cold cut sandwich, chicken salad or red sauce Italian pasta dish. 

Yield 2 Loaves 

Bread
2 1/2 cups warm water
2 tablespoons oil
1 1/2 tablespoons dough enhancer (optional, extends the shelf-life of your bread)
1/4 cup gluten
1 tablespoons instant yeast (I like using the Saf Instant Yeast brand, inexpensive and bread rises fast)
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon salt
6 cups whole wheat flour

Filling - for one loaf of bread
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (shredded or shaved) 
3-4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon butter, softened
1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped

Using your mixer with the dough hook and on low speed, combine the water, oil, dough enhancer (if using), gluten, yeast, honey and half of the flour, Mix for 2 minutes and then add the salt. Continue mixing and add just enough flour so the dough forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the mixer. Increase your speed, speed 3 if using a Bosch and mix for 5 minutes. Place dough in a oiled bowl covered with lightly oiled plastic wrap and let rise until almost doubled in size. If your flour is still warm this may only take 15-20 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Turn dough out onto a lightly oiled counter-top and knead a few times to release the air pockets. Divide dough in half. Roll out dough into a 9 x 18 inch rectangle. Spread with softened butter and top with Parmesan cheese, minced garlic and fresh parsley. Tightly roll beginning with the short side, tuck ends under and place in a oiled bread pan, cover with a lightly oiled piece of plastic wrap. Repeat for second loaf if making a second herb bread, if not, form the dough into a 9 x 9 inch square and roll, tucking the ends under and placing in a oiled pan. Cover with lightly oiled plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm, draft free place until bread has risen 1 inch over the tops of the pans. Place bread in oven and Immediately reduce temperature to 350 degrees.  Bake for 25-30 minutes. My bread is done after 29 minutes. Bread should be golden brown. Remove bread from pans and place on a cooling rack. If you are planning on slicing the loaf it is best to wait 2 hours before cutting. 

Healthier Chicken Teriyaki Pasta Salad

Just recently I was having lunch with a couple girlfriends and one of the girls made this amazing salad! Marinated chicken breasts in a sweet dressing, pasta, cranberries, mandarin oranges, roasted peanuts and fresh baby spinach. This salad is perfect for your next weeknight dinner, picnic in the park, work potluck, or the next time you're asked to bring "a side dish to pass". I loved the sweet and tangy dressing she used and wanted to see if could I lighten it up a bit. The results were phenomenal! Still sweet, tangy and every bit delicious as before. The leftovers we had the next day were fantastic.

Serves 4 as the main dish

Healthier Chicken Teriyaki Pasta Salad
3 chicken breasts cut into bit sized pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup teriyaki sauce ( I used the Kikkoman brand with garlic and green onions)
12 oz tri-colored penne pasta
1/2 cup pecan pieces
1 teaspoon honey
2 1/2 cups packed fresh spinach
1/2 cup dried cranberries
Mandarin oranges (optional)


Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and add chicken. Saute chicken just until cooked through. Combine cooked chicken and teriyaki sauce in a large bowl and refrigerate. *Note, this step can be done the day before you serve the salad* Cook pasta according to directions on package, drain, rinse and set aside. Meanwhile in a small skillet over medium heat combine the pecan pieces and honey. Stir continually for 5 minutes. Remove pecans to a piece of parchment paper to cool. To assemble salad, add the cooked pasta, spinach and cranberries to the refrigerated chicken. Toss until combined. Garnish with honeyed-pecan pieces.

Extreme self control was necessary not to eat ALL of the honeyed pecans before the salad was finished.

Coconut Milk Raspberry Ice Cream

Did you know that you can use coconut milk as a dairy substitute for ice cream? Perhaps I'm just the late one joining this bandwagon. I was first introduced to coconut ice cream through Charity and her Facebook page A Vibrant Life. She has tons of healthy, dairy-free and delicious recipes on her page. This decedent dessert is incredibly creamy, rich and yet refreshing at the same time. Who knew dairy-free could be so delicious! Frozen bananas add the perfect touch of natural sweetness that you won't even need to use refined sugar. With the coconut milk, bananas and vanilla as your ice cream base the flavoring options are endless!

Coconut Milk Raspberry Ice Cream
1 13.5oz can coconut milk (full fat or coconut cream)
2 large or 3 medium frozen bananas
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Honey (optional)
3/4 cup fresh or frozen raspberries(thawed)

Combine the coconut milk, bananas and vanilla extract in a blender and process until smooth. Taste and add honey if desired. Add mixture to ice cream/yogurt maker and process for about 20 minutes. Add raspberries and continue mixing for 5-10 minutes or until desired consistency is reached. Best served immediately.

Cranberry Lemon Scones

Delicious and easy to make scones. Moist, airy and with a burst of lemony citrus these are perfect with your favorite cup of coffee, tea or even a large glass of creamy milk. If you want to go one step further serve these with a little honey butter! Scones are best on the day you bake them, but considering how amazing these are I doubt you'll even have leftovers the next day. If you do, however, have any left wrap them in foil and heat in the oven at 350 degrees until heated through.

Recipe Adapted from Fannetastic Food

Cranberry Lemon Scones
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour***
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 of a lemon zested
6 tablespoons cold butter, cut into 1/2 inch slices
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon plain Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Cinnamon sugar

Preheat oven to 425 degrees

Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and lemon zest in a mixing bowl. Using a pastry cutter, incorporate the butter into the flour mixture. Stir in the yogurt, cranberries and lemon juice just until combined. Be careful not to over mix your batter. Gently form a ball with the dough and pat down to about 1/2 inches thick on a lightly greased baking sheet. If using a pizza stone, you do not need to grease your stone. Cut into 8 wedges and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Bake 15-20 minutes or until tops are lightly browned.

***To those grinding their own wheat, a Soft white wheat ground on the pastry setting is best. If not available a Hard white wheat or even regular all-purpose flour can be used.

Crock-Pot Pork Carnitas

On busy days I love the ease and convenience of my crock-pot. Let me re-phrase that, I don't think there is a day where I don't love my crock-pot. As the temperatures rise outside it's great to have a meal that doesn't involve the oven and heating up the entire house. Carnitas meat was on sale so that's what I used, however, a pork loin would also work well with this recipe. The meat is incredibly tender, juicy and well seasoned; everything you want in a great sandwich. I served this with lightly toasted whole wheat bread from my Cinnamon Swirl Bread post and our absolute FAVORITE bbq sauce Stubbs Original (carried in many grocery stores).

2 1/2 lbs pork carnitas
4 garlic cloves, peeled
Crushed bay leaves (about 1/2 teaspoon)
Thyme
Sea salt
Pepper
1 cup of water

Place carnitas meat in crock-pot and add garlic cloves, crushed bay leaves, a few dashes of thyme and a couple shakes of salt and pepper. Pour 1 cup of water over meat and cook covered on low for 8 hours. Shred meat with a fork and serve.