Simple Chickpea Salad

In keeping with my healthy streak I wanted to share a very simple and super healthy recipe with you all today.  This chickpea salad takes only minutes to make and has an array of delicious fresh flavors.  I also love the versatility of this salad.  It can be served as a garnish (ex. for my salmon recipe), a side dish or even a main course!  This salad is super easy to make and very healthy, making it a current favorite of mine at the moment!

Ingredients

• 1- 15oz Can Whole Garbanzo Beans (Drained and Rinsed)
• 1/2 Red Onion (Diced Fine)
• 3/4 Red Bell Pepper (Diced Fine)
• 1/4c Sprouts (any variety is fine)
• 1/4c Microgreens (I like Sunflower, but any variety is fine)
• Juice of 1 Lg Lemon (or 2 Sm. Lemons)
• 2 Tbs Olive Oil
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, mix together Garbanzo Beans, Red Onion, Red Pepper, Sprouts and Microgreens
2. Toss with lemon juice and olive oil
3. Add salt and pepper to taste

Healthy Balsamic Stuffed Mushrooms

Every time I visit my parents in Florida, it never fails that I find myself making at least one or two trips to the most fabulous local market near their house.  This market has the most impeccable produce, an extensive cheese selection and a mouth-watering prepared foods section.  All items are at great prices, so as you might have guessed it is ALWAYS packed with customers (I mean complete chaos every time I go there).  Of course it is totally worth fighting your way through the crowds, because of what you can get from this market.  

Among my favorite go to items in their prepared section would have to be their stuffed portobello mushrooms.  I really look forward to these mushrooms every time I visit my parents because they are that delicious!  Lately I have been missing/seriously craving those mushrooms, so I decided to try my hand at recreating them.  The result?  Major success!  So much so that I have decided to share this latest recipe creation/recreation with you all today.  

This is a great way to expand your culinary horizons and venture beyond the typical steamed vegetable side dish. Plus-- This recipe is packed with flavor, easy to make and a great side or main dish to serve at your next dinner party or family dinner.   I will definitely be serving up this delicious side/taste of home at my next gathering and I hope you will too!

Ingredients

• 5 Portobello Mushroom Caps (cleaned with stems removed)
• 2 5oz-Bags of Baby Spinach
• 3 Cloves Fresh Garlic, Minced
• Crumbled Cheese (Feta, Blue or Goat)
• Balsamic Vinegar
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Kosher Salt
• Fresh Cracked Pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit
2. Brush the tops of the mushroom caps with olive oil and lightly sprinkle with salt
3. Place the the oiled caps on a parchment lined baking sheet top side down
4. Drizzle about a teaspoon of olive oil on bottom side (which should now be facing up), then add a tablespoon of Balsamic Vinegar to each cap and a sprinkle of salt and pepper 
5. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes
6. Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat
7. When the oil is flaccid, add the minced garlic and cook until just turning brown (approx. 2-3minutes)
8. Once garlic begins to brown, add the spinach and teaspoon of salt and allow to wilt down, stirring occasionally (*2 bags may seem like a lot but it reduces down to a very small amount)
9. Once spinach is wilted, remove from heat and set aside
10. When the mushrooms are done cooking, remove from oven and up the oven heat to BROIL
11. Transfer mushroom caps to an aluminum lined baking sheet, shaking off the excess liquid prior to transferring
12. Evenly divide spinach mixture onto the mushroom caps and sprinkle crumbled cheese on top (I opted to use Feta, but all three cheeses listed in the ingredients work well with this recipe)
13. Place the mushrooms back in the oven for 3-5 minutes until cheese is slightly melted/turns golden brown
14. Remove from oven, serve and enjoy!

Roasted Sweet Potato Discs

The other day I was preparing my Lemon Dijon Herb Marinated Pork Tenderloin recipe for dinner and while the pork was an obvious and easy choice to serve, I couldn't figure out what sides would be best.  I ended up settling on Organic Steamed Green Beans, because well quite frankly the ability to prepare them in a microwavable steam bag is super easy, virtually mess free and very healthy (**They taste great plain or dressed up with a little salt, pepper & fresh squeezed lemon).  

While the the green beans were an easy choice, I couldn't figure out what starch to pair with this entree.    I really wasn't in the mood to cook a rice pilaf or cous-cous.  Finally it dawned on me to make my roasted sweet potato discs.  Easy to prepare, virtually no mess associated with cooking these discs, they are a healthy option and taste delicious!   Here is how i make them: 

Ingredients:

• 1-2 Sweet Potatoes (Cleaned and Dried)
• Olive Oil or Spray Canola Oil (ex. Pam or equivalent)
• Kosher Salt and Fresh Cracked Pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees fahrenheit
2. Slice 1-2 Sweet Potatoes that have been cleaned and dried, into 1/4 inch discs. 
3. Lay sweet potato discs on a cookie sheet that has been lined with parchment paper
4. Brush sweet potato discs with Olive Oil or spray discs with a quick mist of the spray canola oil (ex. Pam or equivalent)
5. Lightly sprinkle discs with Salt and Pepper (or to taste)
6. Bake discs for approximately 40 minutes, or until the tops start to turn a light golden brown.

**Note- These sweet potato discs are great hot or cold!**

Lemon Dijon Herb Pork Tenderloin, Steamed Green Beans and Roasted Sweet Potato Discs.  Healthy dinner menu that is packed with loads of flavor.