Category: Entrees

Kale Caesar Pasta Salad

If you love the flavor of a Caesar salad, then you’ll adore this pasta version, served chilled with roasted herb chickpeas and crunchy sliced almonds.

We are being blessed with another weekend of warm weather here in the Chicago suburbs. So I came up with this kale caesar pasta salad to enjoy because I know cooler temps are one their way and soon my kitchen will be filled with stick-to-your-ribs comfort food meals (healthy, of course) like chili, roasted vegetables and braised beef recipes. But until then, I am satisfying my pasta salad craving by bulking it up with hearty kale and roasted chickpeas. Roasting chickpeas makes them the perfect stand in for croutons, amping up the protein in recipes and adding a delicate crunch. Roasted chickpeas lose their crunch quickly, but still taste great and add texture to salads.

The dressing is a light, salty Caesar make with almond milk. 2% milk would also work. This is not a super creamy dressing but it can be made thicker by adding 1/2 cup mayonnaise or greek yogurt to the other ingredients instead of the almond milk. I opted to keep it light since this is a pasta salad and already quite the meal in itself. Grilled chicken or steak can also be added for the carnivores in your family.

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Kale Caesar Pasta Salad

10 minutes

40 minutes

50 minutes

Yield: 6 servings

Kale Caesar Pasta Salad

Ingredients

  • 3 cups dry whole wheat fusilli pasta
  • 4 cups chopped kale
  • 1/3 cup pitted kalamata olives
  • 1/4 cup sliced almonds
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
    • For Roasted Chickpeas
  • 1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, drained
  • 1 T olive oil
  • 1/4 t dried dill
  • 1/8 t paprika
  • 1/8 t onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
    • For Caesar Dressing
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp dijon mustard
  • 2 tsp anchovy paste
  • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup almond milk (unsweetened)
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt

Instructions

  1. Combine ingredients for dressing in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a glass jar. Preheat oven to 350F. Blot chickpeas dry with a paper towel and place in a small bowl along with other ingredients. Toss and pour onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake 40 minutes, rotating chickpeas halfway through roasting with a spatula. Remove from oven and set aside.
  2. While chickpeas cook, boil pasta according to package directions. During the last minute of cooking, add kale to pasta water.
  3. Strain and run cold water over pasta. Pour into a large bowl and add olives. Pour dressing over and toss to coat. Chill 1 hour. Top with parmesan cheese, almonds and chickpeas. Serve chilled.
http://freshandfit.org/kale-caesar-pasta-salad/

Jerk Chicken and Plantain Bowl

Summer is the perfect time to make this tropical inspired jerk chicken and plantain bowl! Chicken is coated in a spicy jerk seasoning before being cooked, sealing in caribbean flavor, minus the plane ticket. The best thing about the nourish and buddha bowl craze is that you can make them your own and swap your favorite ingredients for a bowl that is never the same twice. In this recipe, every bite has a different flavor, from juicy mango to sweet and crisp pan-fried plantains.

You can treat this recipe as a salad and serve it over greens, pile the ingredients over rice (cauliflower rice for grain-free) or fill tortillas with the toppings for a taco night meal. The cilantro sauce adds just the right amount of herb brightness with the tangy zip of lime. You can skip the sauce altogether and simply scatter chopped cilantro and a generous squeeze of lime over the dish right before serving. There are so many flavors going on that the sauce is just the icing on the cake so to speak, but not mandatory.

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Jerk Chicken and Plantain Bowl

10 minutes

14 minutes

24 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Jerk Chicken and Plantain Bowl

Ingredients

  • 2 (5 oz) boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced
  • 1 large plantain, peeled and sliced
  • 1/2 cup avocado, diced
  • 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup mango, diced
  • 1 14 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • optional toppings: sliced jalapeños, cilantro, lime wedges
    • For Cilantro Pesto Sauce
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 cup packed cilantro leaves
  • 1/2 a small jalapeño
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 1/2 tsp minced garlic
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
    • For Jerk Seasoning
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika or chipotle powder
  • 1 tsp coconut sugar
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/4 tsp ground coriander
  • 1/4 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp chili flakes
  • 1/8 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 4 tbsp olive oil, divided

Instructions

  1. Combine ingredients for cilantro sauce in a blender or food processor and blend until thoroughly combined. Pour into a small jar. Refrigerate until serving.
  2. Mix together jerk seasonings in a small bowl. Add diced chicken to a mixing bowl and sprinkle jerk seasoning over. Use hands to mix.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium skillet over medium/high heat for 1 minute. Add chicken. Cook 12-14 minutes, stirring occasionally for even cooking.
  4. While chicken cooks, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a separate medium skillet over medium heat for 1 minute. Add plantain slices and cook 3 minutes. Use tongs to turn and cook an additional 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. Arrange remaining ingredients in a serving bowl and add chicken and plantains. Serve with cilantro sauce.
http://freshandfit.org/jerk-chicken-plantain-bowl/

Heirloom Tomato Tartlets with Whipped Herb Ricotta

Spring is officially underway, and I can’t think of a better way to kick this beautiful season off than with these equally beautiful (and delicious) heirloom tomato tartlets. The recipe may look complex, but it is very simple and sure to wow whomever you decide to share them with. The crust is made using a gluten and grain-free almond flour. Almond flour is light and gives the crust a delicate buttery flavor that melds perfectly with the filling–more about that to come. The dough is pressed into 4-inch tartlet pans and chilled while the filling is made.

To create the super creamy filling, egg is whipped along with ricotta cheese and plenty of herbs like thyme, garlic and basil. No need for a mixer to whip the filling, just vigorously mix with a fork or spoon until fluffy. Pour the filling into crusts and top with mini heirloom tomatoes that are tossed in olive oil and balsamic to lightly flavor and help caramelize the tomatoes as they bake. Be sure to shake off any excess balsamic vinegar and olive oil before placing tomato halves on top. Bake tartlets for 25-30 minutes and allow them to set at room temperature for ten minutes before lifting from pans.

Serve these tarts alongside a big salad for a meatless Monday dinner with farm to table vibes. The tarts are also delicious for breakfast. If you are feeding a larger crowd, simply double the recipe. A big glass of chardonnay or sauvignon blanc pairs beautifully with the creaminess of the ricotta cheese.

Happy Spring and more delicious seasonal recipes to come!

 

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Heirloom Tomato Tartlets with Whipped Herbed Ricotta

15 minutes

30 minutes

45 minutes

Yield: 2 tartlets

Heirloom Tomato Tartlets with Whipped Herbed Ricotta

Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup almond flour
  • 4 tbsp grass-fed butter, softened
  • 1/8 tsp sea salt
  • 1 cup heirloom cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 tsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp balsamic vinegar
  • For Filling
  • 1/2 cup Ricotta cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp minced garlic
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper
  • 1/8 tsp sea salt
  • Fresh chopped basil for serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 and grease two 4 inch tartlet pans with olive oil. In a mixing bowl, combine butter and gradually stir in almond flour and sea salt. Divide dough into two balls. Press dough into prepared tartlet pans. Refrigerate.
  2. In a separate mixing bowl, combine Ricotta cheese, egg, dried basil, thyme, garlic, black pepper and sea salt. Use a spoon to whip and combine ingredients until fluffy. In a small bowl toss tomatoes in olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
  3. Divide filling between tartlet pans and spread evenly. Arrange tomatoes in top gently pressing into filling. Place tartlets onto a cookie sheet and bake 25-30 minutes or until crust edges are golden brown. Let tartlets stand at room temperature 10 minutes before slicing.
http://freshandfit.org/heirloom-tomato-tartlets-with-whipped-herb-ricotta/

Chipotle Chicken Corn Chowder

chipotle-chicken-chowder

Nothing soothes on a crisp fall day quite like a bowl of rich and creamy soup. This spicy chipotle chicken corn chowder is one that delivers everything you would want in a soup–a rich broth dancing with chipotle flavor, hearty potato, corn and shredded chicken all coming together for a soup that eats like a meal.

I recommend adding the chipotle in a little at a time to adjust the spiciness to your liking. Chipotle peppers can quickly go from spicy to blazing inferno in a matter of an extra tablespoon.

Top your bowl with crushed tortilla chips, cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lime.

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Chipotle Chicken Corn Chowder

Chipotle Chicken Corn Chowder

Ingredients

  • 2-6 ounce chicken breasts
  • 2 Idaho potatoes, cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 2 cups corn
  • 1 cup bell pepper, diced
  • 1/2 cup sweet white onion, diced
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1/3 cup chipotle in adobo sauce, sauce only.
  • 1-4 ounce can hatched green chiles
  • 2 tbsp all purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp oregano
  • 1 tbsp cumin
  • 1 tsp garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 2 tsp sea salt
  • Optional toppings: chopped cilantro, lime wedges, tortilla chips

Instructions

  1. Begin by melting 1 tablespoon of butter in a pan over medium heat. Allow pan to get nice and hot. Season chicken breast with salt and pepper.
  2. Place chicken breast on pan and cook 6-7 minutes each side. Place on a cutting board and finely chop chicken. Set aside.
  3. In a Dutch oven, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add green pepper, onion, potato, garlic, oregano, cumin and sea salt. Place lid on and cook until onion begin to soften about 10 minutes.
  4. Add hatched green chiles, chipotle sauce and flour. Stir to combine. Pour in chicken stock and whole milk. Stir regularly until flour is dissolved.
  5. Allow chowder to come to a boil. Reduce heat and add chicken and corn. Simmer uncovered 20 minutes.
  6. Serve with lime wedges, cilantro and tortilla chips.
http://freshandfit.org/chipotle-chicken-corn-chowder/