Category: Side Dishes

Eggplant Caprese Stacks with Balsamic Glaze

 

Eggplant Caprese Stacks

Trader Joe’s grocery store has become a favorite destination for me to do my grocery shopping. Not only are the prices hard to beat, but I love their selection of prepared frozen items from their signature line. I rarely make eggplant, so when I came across these breaded eggplant cutlets at Trader Joe’s I had to buy them. They crisp up super quick in the oven and take all the work out of having to batter and coat your own eggplant cutlets. I knew they would be amazing in a caprese recipe. Traditionally, caprese type salads are made with mozzarella, tomato and basil–so the crispiness of the eggplant kicks it up a notch and makes it more of a hearty, satisfying dish. These eggplant caprese stacks with balsamic glaze would make a terrific side dish to just about any entree or a delicious vegetarian entree option.

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Eggplant Caprese Stacks wit Balsamic Glaze

Yield: 4 stacks

Eggplant Caprese Stacks wit Balsamic Glaze

Ingredients

  • For Glaze:
  • 1/2 c balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • For Eggplant Stacks:
  • 8 eggplant cutlets (trader joes brand)
  • 2 large tomatoes, sliced to 1/4 inch thick slices
  • 1 large mozzarella ball, sliced into 1/4 inch thick slices
  • 8 basil leaves
  • Sea salt and black pepper

Instructions

  1. To Make Glaze:
  2. Combine ingredients over med/low heat in a small saucepan. Stir until sugar dissolves.
  3. Bring to a low boil. Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes or until thickened.
  4. Pour into a container and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
  5. For Stacks:
  6. Cook eggplant cutlets in oven until crispy and lightly browned. Allow to cool slightly.
  7. Layer slices of eggplant, tomato, mozzarella and basil. Repeat and then create another stack. Season with salt and pepper.
  8. Drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving.
http://freshandfit.org/eggplant-caprese-stacks-with-balsamic-glaze/

Eggplant Caprese Stacks 1

Roasted Vegetables with Herb Butter Sauce

Roasted Vegetables with Herb Butter Sauce JPG

Easter is a holiday that evokes thoughts of colorful and bright food with fresh flavors. In today’s recipe, I created a simple and wholesome side dish of roasted vegetables with a creamy and tangy herb dressing. I wanted to make something different from he traditional potato salad. Cabbage, carrots, and potatoes are hearty and have the most wonderful flavor when roasted with a light char. This recipe for roasted vegetables with herb butter sauce will look gorgeous on your Easter table.

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Roasted Vegetables with Herb Butter Sauce

Roasted Vegetables with Herb Butter Sauce

Ingredients

  • 1 head of cabbage
  • 1 bunch of carrots (5-6 medium carrots), sliced lengthwise
  • 1 lb baby red potatoes, quartered
  • FOR SAUCE
  • 1/3 c olive oil
  • 1/3 c grass-fed butter, melter
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • 2 tbsp chives, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp dried dill
  • Sea salt and black pepper to taste.

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, garlic, butter, dill and chives. Reserve 1/3 cup of sauce for after roasting.
  2. Slice cabbage to about 1 inch thickness. Place in a large bowl.
  3. Prepare carrots and potatoes. Add to bowl with cabbage.
  4. Pour sauce over vegetables. Use hands to mix and coat vegetables.
  5. Place vegetables on baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. Bake 30 minutes. Turn broiler to 550 and broil 5 minutes or until vegetables are lightly charred. pour reserved sauce over vegetables right before serving.
http://freshandfit.org/roasted-vegetables-with-herb-butter-sauce/

 

 

Classic Italian Meatballs

Classic Italian Meatballs 1

This weekend, I had my mom and stepdad over for dinner. I took a stab at making my own meatballs for the first time. Needless to say, they came out really delicious and I knew I needed to share them with you. These meatballs would make an awesome protein to serve alongside a pasta dish or, if you are avoiding starch, spiralized zucchini “noodles.”

Be sure to purchase a reputable grass-fed beef , use pasture-raised egg and organic milk. I believe the quality of the ingredients contributes to a better finished product and you have the piece of mind knowing what you are eating is top notch as far as nutrition goes.  This recipe for classic Italian meatballs is full of aromatic Italian seasonings like basil, oregano and fennel seed. Most of the ingredients you probably have in your pantry. Mangia!

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Classic Italian Meatballs

Yield: 12-14 meatballs

Classic Italian Meatballs

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. 90% lean ground beef
  • 1/2 c Italian bread crumbs
  • 1/4 c white onion, minced
  • 1 tsp fennel seed
  • 1/2 tsp garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp basil
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 c whole milk
  • 1/2 c grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp Olive oil for cooking
  • 1 jar of pasta sauce

Instructions

  1. Combine milk and breadcrumbs in a small bowl. Set aside.
  2. Combine ground beef, egg, Parmesan cheese, onion and seasonings in a large bowl. Mix well yet gently to ensure meatballs are tender not tough.
  3. Pour milk/breadcrumb mixture into ground beef mixture. Mix again gently.
  4. Form mixture into a little larger than golfball sized balls using a light touch.
  5. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  6. Place meatballs in skillet and cook 3-5 minutes. Roll each meatball over and lightly brown the other side. Remove from heat.
  7. Add pasta sauce in the saucepan with meatballs over medium heat. Bring sauce to a low simmer, cover and cook 1 hour.
http://freshandfit.org/classic-italian-meatballs/

Classic Italian Meatballs Pin

Thai Crunch Salad with Sesame Ginger Vinaigrette

Thai Crunch Bulgar Salad

I always enjoy grains added to my salads, this is especially true in the colder months. Adding exotic and chewy grains create a heartier salad with a more satisfying texture. Today’s recipe is inspired by the fresh flavors of Thai cooking. Raw veggies like cucumber and purple cabbage meld deliciously with the nutty aroma of sesame oil and spicy tang of ginger.
Topped with peanuts and fresh cilantro, this Thai crunch salad is perfect for lunch or as a side dish for dinner. I enjoy this salad cold, but you could eat it hot and have it as a sort of Thai take on fried rice. You can even add a little grilled chicken, beef or salmon to make it a complete entree. Keep this dish in your recipes to start the new year, which is fast approaching, on a super healthy note.

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Thai Crunch Salad with Sesame Ginger Vinaigrette

Yield: 6 servings

Serving Size: 1 cup

Thai Crunch Salad with Sesame Ginger Vinaigrette

Ingredients

  • 2 c bulgar, uncooked
  • 1 c purple cabbage, finely chopped
  • 1/2 c green onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 c shredded carrots
  • 2/3 c bean sprouts
  • 1 c cucumber, sliced and quartered
  • 1 handful cilantro, chopped
  • 1/3 c chopped peanuts, divided
  • 1/4 tsp chili flakes (optional)
  • Sea salt to taste
  • FOR DRESSING
  • 1/3 c sesame oil
  • 1/3 c rice wine vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp fresh grated ginger

Instructions

  1. Cook bulgar according to package. Refrigerate 2 hours. Fluff with a fork.
  2. Stir in chopped vegetables, half of peanuts and chili flakes.
  3. Mix together dressing ingredients. Pour over bulgar and stir well. Season with salt to taste.
  4. Top with cilantro and remaining chopped peanuts. Refrigerate until serving.
http://freshandfit.org/thai-crunch-salad-with-sesame-ginger-vinaigrette/