Lynbrook | New Hyde Park | NY

Blog

Peach & Brussels Crunch Salad

Enjoy this summer salad for lunch, as a side dish on its own, or paired with your favorite protein! It’s sweet, savory and the perfect blend of flavors.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Makes: 4 servings

Ingredients:

For the dressing:

  • ¼ cup tahini
  • 2-3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1-2 Tbsp pure maple syrup or honey
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2-3 tablespoons water, to thin the dressing

For the salad:

  • 1 pound brussels sprouts, outer yellow leaves and stems removed, and shredded
  • 2 cups sliced peaches (2-3 medium peaches)
  • 1/3 cup feta crumbles

For the nut crunch mixture:

  • 1/3 cup sliced almonds
  • 1/4 cup raw pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
  • ½ tablespoon pure maple syrup
  • Sea salt

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl mix together tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup/honey, dijon mustard, poppy seeds, onion powder, salt and water to thin the dressing. Taste and adjust depending if you like it sweeter.
  2. Next, shred the brussels sprouts by using a food processor and pulse until the brussels sprouts are thinly sliced. If you don’t have a food processor, feel free to use a sharp knife to thinly slice.
  3. Add brussels to a large bowl and pour the dressing all over. Use tongs to coat the brussels with the dressing. Let the dressing sit and marinate the brussels for 10-15 minutes. While the brussels marinate and soak up the dressing, you can chop and prep all your other ingredients.
  4. Finally make your nut crunch mixture: place sliced almonds and pumpkin seeds in a skillet over medium heat. Toast for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently until they turn slightly golden brown and fragrant, then turn off heat and immediately add in maple syrup and a pinch of sea salt. Stir for 30 more seconds to coat, then transfer to a plate or piece of parchment paper to cool for a few minutes. Some of the nuts will slightly stick together but this is what we want for the ‘nut crunch’ in the salad. Allow to cool for 5 minutes.
  5. Add the sliced peaches to the brussels salad along with the nut crunch mixture and feta crumbles and toss to combine. Enjoy!

 

Nutrition:
(Per Serving)
Calories: 326
Fat: 19.8g
Carbohydrates: 30.3g
Fiber: 8.9g
Sugar: 14.9g
Protein: 13.5g
Original recipe from Ambitious Kitchen can be found here!

Recipe of the Week: Instant Pot Greek Chicken

Fall off the bone chicken in an hour? Sign us up! This Greek chicken serves up perfectly with a high-fiber grain, like quinoa or farro, and a side of vegetables. Enjoy!

Active time: 20 minutes
Total time: 1 hour, 5 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 medium lemon
  • 1 (6-inch/15cm) fresh rosemary sprig
  • 2 (6-inch/15cm) fresh oregano sprig
  • 2 medium garlic cloves, peeled
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 (4-pound/1.8kg) whole chicken, giblets and neck removed from cavity, if present
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 medium yellow onion, sliced
  • 1/4 cup (104g) pitted Castelvetrano olives, smashed
  • 1 tablespoon vinegar-packed capers, rinsed and drained

Directions

  1. Zest the lemon onto a cutting board. Cut the lemon in half and juice it into a measuring cup. Add enough water to make 1/2 cup, set aside. Pull the rosemary and oregano leaves off the woody stems and discard stems. Mound the herbs and garlic on top of the lemon zest and chop everything together until the mixture is a coarse paste. Put the mixture in a small bowl, add the pepper and salt and stir to combine.
  2. Carefully slide your fingers under the skin of the chicken covering the breast, thighs and drumsticks. Stuff the lemon zest-herb mixture under the chicken skin, spreading evenly. Tuck the wings tips under the chicken. Remove the blobs of yellow fat inside the cavity of the chicken and discard. Stuff the spent lemon halves into the cavity, tie the ends of the drumsticks together with kitchen string. Spray a trivet with handles with cooking spray and place the chicken breast side up on the trivet. Set aside.
  3. Put the olive oil in the Instant Pot and adjust to high heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring frequently, until they are tender and beginning to brown, 4 minutes. Press cancel. Add the lemon juice-water mixture and scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the pot. Add the olives and capers and stir to combine. Place the chicken on the trivet in the pot. Lock the lid and make sure the pressure valve is sealed. Select pressure cook, adjust to high pressure for 24 minutes.
  4. When the cooking program ends, allow the pressure to dissipate naturally for 15 minutes. Release any remaining pressure. Wearing oven mitts, lift the chicken on the trivet out of the pot. Place on a rimmed baking sheet. Use a slotted spoon to fish out the onions, capers and olives and transfer to a small gravy boat. Set aside. Pour the cooking liquid into a gravy separator. If you don’t have a gravy separator, pour the sauce into a large glass measuring cup and spoon off the fat floating on top.
  5. Pour the defatted sauce back into the Instant Pot, add the onion-olive mixture, select saute, and adjust to medium heat. Simmer uncovered while finishing the chicken.
  6. Set broiler to high and adjust an oven rack to the upper third of the oven. Broil the chicken, rotating the baking sheet once, until the chicken is golden brown, 3 minutes. Remove from oven. Carve the chicken, discarding the skin and bones. Serve with the sauce.

 

Serves: 6 | Serving Size: 1/6 of the chicken (131g), 1/4 cup (59ml) sauce

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 206, Fat: 13g, Carbohydrate: 10g, Protein: 17g

 

Original recipe from My Fitness Pal can be found here!

Recipe of the Week: No Bake Energy Bites

These No Bake Energy Bites are a team favorite! They are so easy to whip up and made with wholesome, nutritious ingredients. Have 1 or 2 as a quick snack or a healthy dessert. Did we mention they are so delicious?!
Servings: 20 servings
Prep: 10 minutes
Ready in: 20 minutes

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Balls

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (opt for natural)
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup old-fashioned oats (raw)
  • 2/3 cup toasted , sweetened shredded coconut
  • 1/2 cup ground golden flaxseed meal (try Bob’s Red Mill)
  • 6 Tbsp mini chocolate chips

Instructions:

  1. In a mixing bowl, stir together peanut butter, honey and vanilla extract.
  2. Add remaining ingredients and stir until evenly coated.
  3. Transfer mixture to refrigerator or freezer and chill until mixture has firmed up a bit, about 30 minutes.
  4. Remove from refrigerator and shape into 1-inch balls.
  5. Store in refrigerator in an airtight container.

 

Original recipe can be found here! Check out the original recipe for ideas on substitutions or nutritional swaps.

Recipe of the Week: INSTANT POT CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA

PREP TIME: 5 mins
COOK TIME: 25 mins
TOTAL TIME: 30 mins
YIELD: 6 SERVINGS

Craving Indian food or take out for dinner tonight? Try this lightened up version of Chicken Tikka Masala! Add in the vegetables and you have a whole meal – I’ve even added a can of chickpeas for extra fiber.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cubed
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 1/2 chopped onion
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon grated ginger root
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 14 ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
  • 2 cups cauliflower florets
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas
  • 1/2 cup full fat canned coconut milk
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, for serving

 

INSTRUCTIONS:

  • Season chicken with 1 teaspoon salt.
  • Press sauté button and melt the coconut oil, add onion, garlic, ginger and 6 spices (from coriander to cardamom) and sauté until the vegetables are soft and the spices are fragrant, about 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Add the tomatoes and use an immersion to blend until smooth (or blend in the blender), add the chicken, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and stir, cook high pressure 15 minutes. (Note: it takes several minutes for the pot to pressurize.)
  • Quick release, add the cauliflower and peas and cook 3 minutes on high pressure. (Note: add more volume by using the whole head of cauliflower, but increase cook time to 5 minutes.)
  • Quick release, stir in coconut milk and serve garnished with cilantro.
NUTRITION:
Serving: 3/4 cup
Calories: 226kcal, Carbohydrates: 9g, Protein: 25g, Fat: 10g
Original recipe from Skinny Taste can be found here!

Recipe of the Week: Instant Pot Rotini

Use your Instant Pot to put dinner on the table in just 35 minutes from start to finish!

Active time: 10 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2 tablespoons no-salt added tomato paste
  • 4 cups (12 ounces) dry whole-grain rotini pasta
  • 1/4 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 small red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 3 small (6 ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 teaspoon salt-free garlic seasoning blend
  • 2 cups baby spinach
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded (optional)

Directions:

  1. In the pot of an electric pressure cooker, whisk together the broth and tomato paste until the tomato paste is dissolved. Add the pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, olive oil, rosemary, 1/4 teaspoon salt and several grinds of pepper. Stir to combine. Place the bell peppers on top of the pasta. Season the chicken with the garlic seasoning and place on top of the pasta mixture, do not stir.
  2. Lock on the lid, select the Manual/Pressure Cook function. Adjust to high pressure and set timer for 4 minutes. Make sure the steam valve is in the “sealing” position.
  3. When the cooking time is up, carefully quick-release the pressure.
  4. Unlock the lid and transfer the chicken to a clean cutting board. Slice the meat into bite-size pieces and return them to the pot. Add the spinach and cheese and stir to wilt the spinach. Serve immediately.

Nutrition:

Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups pasta mixture
Calories: 407
Fat: 11.2g; Carbohydrate: 66.6g; Protein: 48.5g

 

Original recipe from My Fitness Pal can be found here!

Recipe of the Week: Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai

Serves: 4
Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups baked spaghetti squash, patted dry
  • 2 teaspoons avocado oil
  • 1 pound chicken breast, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 4 large egg whites
  • 1/2 cup green onion, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon tamari soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice, freshly squeezed
  • 1 teaspoon lime zest
  • 1/4 cup cilantro leaves, whole
  • 1/4 cup unsalted cashews, chopped

Directions:

To bake the squash: Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Halve the squash lengthwise and scoop out the seeds, discard. Place the squash, cut-side down, on a parchment-lined baking sheet and roast for about 30 minutes. Bake the squash just until you can separate the strands with a paring knife; don’t overbake. Cool on a rack until you can handle the squash. Scoop out and separate the strands.

Coat a large sauté pan with avocado oil and place the pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breast and crushed red pepper and stir frequently until the chicken is cooked through, about 4 minutes. Add the egg whites and stir for a minute to cook, then add the green onions and spaghetti squash and stir.

Mix the tamari, lime juice and zest in a cup, then drizzle over the pan, stirring to combine. When the egg whites are set, sprinkle with cilantro and cashews and serve.

Nutrition:

Calories: 261 per serving
Fat: 8g; Carbohydrate: 15g; Protein: 33g

 

Original recipe from My Fitness Pal can be found here!

Recipe of the Week: Butternut Squash Shakshuka

Breakfast? Brunch? Breakfast for dinner?!

Try out this quick and easy vegetarian & gluten-free meal!

Prep Time: 10
Cook Time: 20
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper
  • 3 cups butternut squash, pureed (about 1 large butternut squash)
  • 6 eggs
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
  • 1 tablespoon chopped rosemary

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
  2. Heat oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat.
  3. Add onion, and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds more.
  4. Stir in spices and squash puree. Remove from heat.
  5. Make 6 wells in squash mixture, and crack an egg into each. Top with crumbled feta.
  6. Move dish to the preheated oven, and bake until eggs are just set, about 7-10 minutes.
  7. Let cool 5 minutes, and top with fresh herbs.

NUTRITION

  • Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
  • Calories: 287
  • Fat: 12g
  • Carbohydrates: 24g
  • Protein: 19g

 

Original recipe from Sinful Nutrition can be found here!

Recipe of the Week: SWEET POTATO SHEPHERD’S PIE

PREP TIME: 25 MINS
COOK TIME: 20 MINS
TOTAL TIME: 45 MINS
YIELD: 4 SERVINGS

INGREDIENTS:

PIE FILLING:

  • 1 pound ground beef or lamb
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
  • 1 small green pepper, diced
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 1 cup mushrooms, cleaned and stemmed, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary or dried herb of choice
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine salt or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 ounces tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup water

SWEET POTATO TOPPING:

  • 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed (~6 cups cubed)
  • 1 tablespoons butter (may substitute ghee or coconut oil for Whole30)
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine salt

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 375*
  2. In a medium skillet (we recommend using a 10-inch cast iron skillet so that you can cook everything in the skillet), over medium-high heat, add the ground beef, chopped carrots, onions, peppers, mushrooms and minced garlic.
  3. Cook on medium heat until carrots are soft, about 12-15 minutes. Begin making the topping while the meat filling cooks.
  4. Once the carrots are soft, stir in tomato paste, water, seasonings, salt and pepper.
  5. For the topping: Steam or bake (at 375*) the sweet potatoes until fork tender. Then add all of the topping ingredients to a food processor (or blender) and process until smooth. NOTE: If using white potatoes, we recommend mashing them by hand rather than blending to prevent them from getting pasty.
  6. Final step: Top the meat filling with the sweet potato mash. If you’re not using a oven-safe 10-inch cast iron skillet, transfer the meat filling to a casserole dish or 9×9 inch baking dish and top the meat filling with the sweet potato mash. Dash with sea salt and chili powder.
  7. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and serve.

 

 

SERVING SIZE: 1/4 OF RECIPE

CALORIES: 395

FAT: 16g, CARBOHYDRATES: 40g, FIBER: 8g, PROTEIN: 26g

 

 

Original recipe from The Real Food RDs can be found here!