Category: Fresh Recipes

Mexican Style Veggie Pizza featuring Better Bean Co. Beans

Mexican Style Veggie Pizza Featuring Better Bean

Pizza is hands down one of my favorite foods to eat. I always try to make my homemade pizza full of wholesome ingredients and piled high with veggies. This way I can calm my craving with the satisfaction of knowing I am getting an abundance of nutrients.

I was especially excited when Better Bean Co. asked me to create a special recipe using their beans. I knew pizza would be the perfect pairing for their beans. Better Bean Co. makes a variety of beans that are small batch, packed in BPA free containers, low in sodium and best of all, family owned. I opted for the Cuban style beans to spread over my pizza. I really like the flavors of Better Bean Co. beans because they add a touch of seasoning while letting the other flavors in the dish shine. Better Bean Co.’s beans can be added to tacos, nachos, soups or whatever your heart desires. Check out their website for more great recipes and to locate a store near you.

Better Bean Co.

This meatless Mexican style veggie pizza gets topped with fresh ingredients like avocado, tomato, onion and cilantro. I used a shredded Chihuahua cheese–the kind you find in quesadillas, but mozzarella works just as well. Forget the takeout and make this uber healthy vegetable based pizza tonight!

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Mexican Style Pizza Featuring Better Bean Co.

Mexican Style Pizza Featuring Better Bean Co.

Ingredients

  • 1 pizza crust of your choice
  • 1/2 cup ranchero salsa
  • 14 oz. Better Bean Co. Cuban black beans
  • 1 cup shredded chihuahua cheese
  • 1/2 cup avocado, diced
  • 1/2 cup Roma tomato, diced
  • 1/3 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced
  • 1 handful of cilantro, chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spread ranchero salsa on pizza crust.
  2. Top with Better Bean Co. Cuban black beans. Spread with a spoon. Sprinkle cheese. Place in oven. Bake 12-14 minutes, until pizza crust is crispy and cheese is bubbly.
  3. Top with avocado, tomato, red onion, jalapeño and cilantro. Slice and enjoy!
http://freshandfit.org/mexican-style-veggie-pizza-featuring-better-bean-co-beans/

Mexican Style Veggie Pizza Featuring Better Bean 2

This recipe was sponsored by Better Bean Co. I was compensated in beans in exchange for this post

Coconut Lime Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

 Main Image

I wanted to make a dessert recipe that screamed “Summer!” without a ton of sugar and processed ingredients. I love all things coconut and lime pairs very well, adding a juicy burst of flavor.

Instead of traditional flour, I used a combination of coconut and tapioca flours. Coconut flour is great for baking gluten free dishes with a nice coconut aroma and tapioca starch keeps the cupcake batter light while remaining allergy-friendly. I really enjoy desserts with a cream cheese based icing. It helps cut through the richness of a dessert and doesn’t add heaps of unnecessary sugar. Instead of buying store bought cupcakes, try this crowd pleasing cupcake recipe full of summertime goodness.

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Coconut Lime Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Coconut Lime Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients

  • 1 cup coconut flour
  • 1 cup tapioca starch
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/3 c coconut oil, melted
  • 1.5 cups unsweetened almond milk
  • 1/2 cup coconut sugar
  • 1 cup unsweetened shredded Coconut
  • 1/3 cup lime juice
  • 2 tbsp lime zest
  • FOR FROSTING
  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp raw honey (the thick kind)
  • 1 tbsp milk

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 and line a muffin tin with paper liners. Cream together coconut sugar and eggs using a hand mixer. Add melted coconut oil and almond milk, beat once more until combined.
  2. Gradually mix in coconut flour, tapioca starch and baking powder. Add lime juice, lime zest and coconut. Stir. Use a 1/4 cup measuring scoop to add cupcake batter to muffin tin. Bake 30 minutes.
  3. In the meantime, beat cream cheese, vanilla extract, and raw honey. Add milk and beat once more. Pour frosting into a piping bag. Refrigerate.
  4. Allow cupcakes to cool 20 minutes. Frost and refrigerate until serving.
http://freshandfit.org/coconut-lime-cupcakes-with-cream-cheese-frosting/

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Simple Grilling Sides

BBQ 2

Although the meat is generally the star of the show when it comes to grilling, I believe the side dishes play a very important supporting role. If you aren’t a big meat eater, like me, you look forward to sides that are satisfying. Today I am going to share 4 simple side dishes to accompany your entrees this Fourth of July and all summer long. These dishes require minimal prep work and look gorgeous on any tablescape.

First up, a chilled watermelon, feta and mint salad. This one is so simple it doesn’t require an actual recipe. Simple cube your watermelon, top with half a cup of feta cheese and a few chopped mint leaves. Beautiful and refreshing.

Watermelon Feta and Mint Salad 1

Grilled vegetables and fruit take on a sweet and savory flavor when grilled. No need for a lot of extra seasoning and fluff. Use grilled pineapple to top burgers, fish or chicken for a fresh burst of fruity flavor that compliments meat so well. Or take your hot grilled pineapple and serve them à la mode with a scoop of ice cream.

Grilled Pineapple

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Grilled Pineapple, Carrots and Baby Bell Peppers

Ingredients

  • 1 bunch carrots, if using large carrots, slice thin and uniform for fast grilling
  • 1 pineapple, sliced into 1/2 inch slices, center removed
  • 4 cups baby bell peppers
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • sea salt and pepper to taste
  • *PRO TIP: Remove the center of the pineapple rind by pressing a metal shot class around the rind.

Instructions

  1. Skewer baby bell peppers onto a wood or metal skewer.
  2. Drizzle olive oil over bell peppers and rub onto carrots.
  3. Season with salt and pepper
  4. Place carrots on grill preheated to 400 degrees. Allow to cook ten minutes. Add bell pepper skewers and pineapple slices directly on grill. At this point you can rotate the carrots. Cook bell pepper and pineapple 5 minutes.
  5. Flip bell peppers and continue to cook 5 minutes.
  6. Serve hot.
http://freshandfit.org/simple-grilling-sides/

Grilled Vegetables
 

 

Grapefruit and St. Germain Paloma

Paloma Main Image

Summer is in full swing and the Fourth of July is in just a few days. The Fourth of July is one of my favorite times of the year to celebrate with loved ones and create memories. In my house, the barbecue is a constant cooking tool all summer long, but particularly on the Fourth of July. I grill fresh fruit to kebobs and everything in between. There is just something so nostalgic to me about a table full of grilled seasonal staples. I am going to be sharing a number of delicious, simple and healthy dishes you can make to share with your friends and family this weekend and the rest of summer.

BBQ 1

No good barbecue starts without a cocktail– so first up, the Grapefruit and St. Germain Paloma. This cocktail has all the flavor of a great margarita, but with a touch of elderberry from the St. Germain liqueur. It adds that certain something to any cocktail that makes it memorable. It also happens to be a gorgeous cocktail, perfect for summertime sipping.

Paloma 3

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Grapefruit and St. Germain Paloma

Ingredients

  • 1.5 oz tequila
  • 1 oz St. Germain Liqueur
  • 3 oz grapefruit juice
  • Splash of club soda
  • Sea salt or sugar for rim
  • Sprig of fresh mint
  • Lime wedge

Instructions

  1. Rim cocktail glass with a lime wedge and gently press into sea salt. You can pour salt on a small saucer or plate for easy rimming.
  2. Fill cocktail glass with ice. Combine tequila, St. Germain Liquor and grapefruit juice. Stir.
  3. Top with soda and a Sprig of mint. Garnish with lime.
http://freshandfit.org/grapefruit-and-st-germain-paloma/