Slow Cooked Beef Stew

Ingredients:

2 lbs. beef stew meat, cubed

½ tsp. salt

½ tsp. black pepper

1 clove minced garlic

1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. paprika

1 bay leaf

¼ cup flour

1 chopped celery stalk

1 chopped onion

4 sliced carrots

4 diced potatoes

1 ½ cups beef broth

Directions:

Set the crock pot on low. In a bowl, mix together the salt, pepper and flour. Add the cubed beef and coat it in this mixture. Once the beef is entirely covered, empty the entire bowl into the crock pot. Add in the rest of the ingredients, cover and cook on either low for 8 hours or high for 6 hours.

Read More

Baked Mozzarella Chicken Rolls

ingredients:

2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts 

1 cup whole wheat Italian style bread crumbs

6 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, divided

5 ounces fresh baby spinach

1 clove minced garlic and olive oil for sauteeing

½ cup part-skim ricotta cheese

? cup beaten egg whites 

3 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced

1 cup marinara sauce

fresh basil for topping

instructions:

Prep the chicken: Cut the chicken into 8 pieces and pound the pieces until they are thin (for quick cooking) and have expanded in surface area (for more filling). Place the breadcrumbs in a shallow bowl with 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese and set aside.

Prep the filling: Chop the spinach and saute it with the garlic and just a drizzle of olive oil for 2-3 minutes or until just barely wilted. Combine the sauteed spinach with the ricotta, Parmesan cheese, and 2-3 tablespoons of the egg whites. Place the remaining egg whites in a separate shallow bowl and set aside.

Assemble the chicken: Oil the bottom of a large baking dish and preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Place one piece of chicken on a flat working surface. Put a spoonful of ricotta-spinach filling right in the middle and roll the chicken up so that the edges meet to form a “seam”. Dip the entire chicken roll in egg whites, and then roll it in the breadcrumbs. Place in a baking dish, seam side down. Repeat for the remaining 7 pieces of chicken. Bake for 25 minutes.

 Cover the chicken with the marinara sauce and slices of fresh Mozzarella. Bake for another 3-5 minutes or until cheese is melting. Sprinkle with fresh basil.

Read More

meatball sliders recipe

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef

1/2 cup bread crumbs

1/2 cup shredded cheese

1 egg

1/3 pound bacon, chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

1/4 cup BBQ sauce

3 slices cheddar cheese

12 Rolls

Directions:

 - Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and line a lipped baking sheet with parchment paper and non-stick spray or a Silpat baking mat.

 - Combine the bread crumbs, shredded cheese, ground beef and egg until evenly distributed.

- Roll the mixture into 1-1/2 to 2 inch meatballs and space evenly on the baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes.

- While the meatballs are baking, fry the bacon until crispy over medium-high heat. Remove bacon from skillet, leaving the grease in the skillet.

-Add the onions to the skillet and reduce heat to medium, stirring often until tender.

-  Cut rolls in half and add one meatball to the bottom portion of each roll. Brush the tops with BBQ sauce.

- On top of the meatballs add the cheese slices, bacon bits and grilled onions.

- Place under the broiler next to the roll tops for3 minutes until cheese is melted.

-Top the meatballs with the rolls and serve.

Read More

healthy snacks recipe

ingredients:

1 cup (dry) oatmeal

2/3 cup toasted coconut flakes

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup ground flaxseed or wheat germ

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1/3 cup honey

1 tsp. vanilla

method:

Stir all ingredients together in a medium bowl until thoroughly mixed. Let chill in the refrigerator for half an hour. Once chilled, roll into balls of whatever size you would like. keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.

Read More