Vegetarian Sloppy Joe

Mmm Vegetarian Sloppy Joes from the Food Network magazine👌 I altered it slightly (read my version below). I’m surprised this came out so yummy.

Ingredients
14oz pack of extra firm tofu, drained and crumbled
1/3 cup ketchup
2/3 cup Heinz chili sauce
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tbsp chili powder
Ground pepper for taste
Half a cucumber, peeled and chopped
Onion, chopped
Scallions, chopped
Garlic, minced
Cheddar cheese
Sliced pickles
Low calorie bread

Heat oil on a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the onions, white scallions, and garlic for a couple minutes. Then add the cucumber, garlic powder, and chili powder. Continue to stir and add the tofu. Stir in half of the ketchup and chili sauce, and let it cook for a few minutes. In the meantime, warm up your toast. Place the tofu on your toast, add some of the remaining ketchup/chili sauce, top with a slice of cheese, 2-3 slices of pickles, and your top toast. And ba’am – you got yourself a vegetarian tofu “Sloppy Joe.”

Pork Chops & Sweet Potatoes

Teamwork! I made the Sweet Potato Mash with Marshmallows, while Mr. Chong baked Pork Chops with a honey mustard/ketchup mixed sauce. Mm mmmm.

Pumpkin Gnocchi

Recipe from Kitchen Treaty.

Ingredients
Specialty Selected Pumpkin Gnocchi [from Aldi]
4 cups vegetable broth
1/2 pumpkin [to make puree]
1/2 cup white whine
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 medium onion, chopped small
3-4 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 oz goat cheese

Directions
Boil the pumpkin, when soft – scoop the pumpkin (to remove the peel) into the blender, and create puree. Then, add all ingredients (except the goat cheese) to a large pot. Boil and continuously stir until pasta is cooked and sauce it thickened. Serve the pasta and add crumbled goat cheese. Fin!

Halloween Treats

Who says Halloween snacks need to be bad for you!? You can make fun healthy treats – like these Chatter Teeth 😁  

Sweet Potato Soup

Oohhh this was delicious! Enjoyed this soup very much… or as Nick argues, this “puree”. 

Click here to see the recipe.

Barre Classes

Pic & Bio up on #MindBody. You’ll start seeing more classes with me (Christy C) on the schedule. Certification is around the corner! Just studying studying studying for that exam.

Click to read my MindBody Profile Bio

Chickpea Pesto Bowl

Need something quick, healthy and delicious? Chickpeas, fresh mozzarella, Grape tomatoes and (insert drumroll) PESTOOOO. Obv one of my favorite ingredients. Try it out! 

Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce

Mmm made this Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce from Damn Delicious. It came out very juicy and delicious. I went light on the sauce when serving and added some couscous as a side.

Ingredients
4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
Ground pepper and Garlic Sea Salt
3 tbsp unsalted butter
3 cloves of garlic
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
3/4 cup chicken broth
1/3 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup julienned sun dried tomatoes
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1/4 tsp dried oregano

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Season chicken thighs with garlic sea salt and pepper. Melt 2 tbsp of butter in a large oven-proof skillet over medium high heat. Add chicken, skin-side down, to cook until a little brown; then set it aside. Then, melt remaining tbsp of butter in the skillet. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, and cook for 1-2 minutes. Stir in the chicken broth, heavy cream, sun dried tomatoes, Parmesan, thyme and oregano. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer. Return chicken to the skillet. Cover skillet and place into oven until completely cooked through for 20 minutes.

Orange you happy!?

Go on. Have an orange! You won’t be sorry. These fruits are delicious and nutritious…………. and SUPER GOOD FOR YOU! We all know they’re full of vitamin C which helps us fight diseases and viral infections; the vitamin C protects cells by neutralizing free radicals (which cause chronic diseases). Oranges are also rich in citrus limonoids, which is proven to help fight different types of cancer. It helps reduce the risk of kidney stones, and boosts your heart health. The dietary fiber in oranges gets your digestives juices flowing (no pun intended) and relieves constipation. The beta-carotene (powerful antioxidants) protects cells from being damaged which protects your skin and prevents signs of aging. Oranges are rich in carotenoid compounds too, which are converted to vitamin A and help create good vision. Oranges alkalize the body, provides smart carbs, and regulates high blood pressure. How about saying AN ORANGE A DAY KEEPS THE DOCTOR AWAY instead!? LOVING IT.

Bricklayer Tacos

Bricklayer Tacos
-Cook your seasoned meat, onions, garlic, and white part of scallions. Then add tomatoes and green part of scallions to skillet towards the end. Toast lightly some corn tortillas (yumm) and add avocado.

Mexican rice
– Ad oregano, garlic powder, cumin, chili, and 1 tbsp butter to your cooked white rice.

I got this idea from an episode of The Chew. They may be a little cheesy on the show, but they have some great dinner ideas.